Mycobacterium Avium Linked to Showers

by Ground Report    September 15, 2009

Mycobacterium avium was found on 30% of showerheads in a recent study, suggesting that the deadly bacteria could be making millions of Americans sick. Mycobacterium avium was found in a study of 50 showerheads from 9 different US cities, according to Reuters.

The mycobacterium avium complex causes lung infections with symptoms similar to tuberculosis, according to Wikipedia.

Showerheads provide a "haven" for mycobacterium avium in their dark, warm, moist environment. Mycobacterium avium is most dangerous to those with compromised immune systems, such as HIV positive individuals, but can also affect the healthy.

The mycobacterium avium study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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