Masoud Keikha
1* 
1 Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) are saprophytic bacteria in environmental resources such as
water and soil. The presence of atypical mycobacteria in hospital resources may lead to infections and
the spread of aerosol particles through ventilation systems, wind, and even drinking water. Therefore,
control of contamination of environmental resources in hospitals is one of the most important
approaches to reduce and manage NTM nosocomial infections. This study reported the isolation
of Mycobacterium frederiksbergense from a tap water sample, which is considered important for
clinical and biodegradation aspects. The isolated bacterium was identified using phenotypic features
and 16S rRNA sequencing. This report verified the necessity to identify the presence of NTM in water
and to find a solution for controlling such contaminations.