Who we are
The NTM Environmental Reference Laboratory at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler provides environmental testing for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). NTM are commonly found in the environment, particularly in water, dust, and soil sources and, if exposed to predisposed individuals, can cause chronic lung disease. We strive to bring environmental testing for NTM to a wide range of clients, including people with NTM lung disease, people with pre-disposing factors for NTM infections, hospitals, medical facilities, and external organizations. Our goal is to provide widescale environmental NTM testing to help people with NTM lung disease determine potential sources of NTM in their environments, thus arming them with crucial knowledge of their environment, helping them identify infection risks, and providing peace of mind.
What we do
Identifying NTM from water biofilms
NTM are common habitants of water biofilm sources, including showerheads, bath sinks, kitchen sinks, public sinks, water fountains, wells, hoses, and water filters. We can help you identify sources of NTM within your home by testing biofilm swabs collected from any water source in your home. Results include the presence of NTM as well as the species of NTM found in each sample. Results are expected within 5-8 weeks of sample receipt.
Identifying NTM from dust
Dust is another potential source of NTM within your home environment. We can help you identify if NTM are present in any dust sample within your home, including windowsills, door frames, air filters, tops of cabinets, etc. Results include the presence of NTM as well as the species of NTM found in each sample. Results are expected within 5-8 weeks of sample receipt.
Identifying NTM from soil
NTM are often found in soil samples, spanning from household soil to natural soil sources. We can help you identify the presence and species of NTM within any soil of your choosing. Results include the presence and species of NTM within each sample, with full results expected within 5-8 weeks of sample receipt.
Identifying NTM from the household bundle
For those concerned with multiple sources of potential NTM exposure within their home, the NTM household bundle provides the testing of two biofilm sources (one showerhead and one kitchen sink), one dust sample, and one soil sample in one kit. All four samples will be cultured for the presence and speciation of NTM, with full results returned within 5-8 weeks of sample receipt.
About the NTM Environmental Reference Laboratory
To place an order, use the above sections to add your desired products to your cart.
Once you are finished, please finish checking out in the “My Cart” section above. For large or commercial orders, please reach out to the NTM Environmental Reference
Laboratory at NTMERL@uttyler.edu or at 903-877-8731. Orders placed before 2 pm CST are shipped the same day with 2-day shipping. Orders
placed after 2 pm CST are shipped the following day with 2-day shipping Each sampling kit comes with an instructional card that has a QR code to access our
registration page. Please activate and register your kit before collecting your samples. Sample collection instructional videos can be found here. Please use the pre-labelled return mailer provided in your sampling kit to mail your
samples back to the NTM Environmental Reference Lab. You will receive your results within 5-8 weeks of sample receipt, with a full report
sent to the email provided during your kit activation.
The NTM Environmental Reference Laboratory is located at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler in Tyler, Texas. Our mailing address is 11937 US Hwy 271, BMR Lab B4, Tyler, TX 75708. We are currently open Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm.
The NTM Environmental Reference Laboratory strives to provide widescale environmental testing for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), an environmentally acquired, opportunistic pathogen. People with NTM lung disease often question where they got their infection from, especially if they are continuously exposed to NTM in their environment and thus can be continuously reinfected. We aim to help answer this question by providing high quality testing of water biofilms, dust, and soil, three common environmental niches for NTM. Our goal is to determine the presence of NTM in varied environments, provide longitudinal monitoring of environments for NTM, and ultimately help people determine the potential source of their NTM infections.
Donations to support the NTM Environmental Reference Laboratory can be made here. Your support is vital to growing our knowledge of the environmental factors that contribute to NTM lung disease and is greatly appreciated!
NTM Environmental Reference Laboratory
11937 US Hwy 271, BMR B4, Tyler TX 75708
NTMERL@uttyler.edu
903-877-8731
Rachel Wilsey, Senior Research Associate
11937 US Hwy 271, BMR B4, Tyler TX 75708
rachel.wilsey@uttyler.edu
903-877-8731