Here are a few references on the ecology of NTM that, while they do not address specifically the increase in rates of pulmonary NTM, provide information about conditions that favor such increases.
1. Health impacts of environmental mycobacteria. Todd P Primm, Christie A Lucero, Joseph O Falkinham 3rd. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2004 Jan;17(1):98-106. doi: 10.1128/cmr.17.1.98-106.2004. Abstract: Environmental mycobacteria are emerging pathogens causing opportunistic infections in humans and animals. The health impacts of human-mycobacterial interactions are complex and likely much broader than currently recognized. Environmental mycobacteria preferentially survive chlorination in municipal water, using it as a vector to infect humans. Widespread chlorination of water has likely selected more resistant environmental mycobacteria species and potentially explains the shift from M. scrofulaceum to M. avium as a cause of cervical lymphadenitis in children. Thus, human activities have affected mycobacterial ecology. While the slow growth and hydrophobicity of environmental mycobacteria appear to be disadvantages, the unique cell wall architecture also grants high biocide and antibiotic resistance, while hydrophobicity facilitates nutrient acquisition, biofilm formation, and spread by aerosolization. The remarkable stress tolerance of environmental mycobacteria is the major reason they are human pathogens. Environmental mycobacteria invade protozoans, exhibiting parasitic and symbiotic relationships. The molecular mechanisms of mycobacterial intracellular pathogenesis in animals likely evolved from similar mechanisms facilitating survival in protozoans. In addition to outright infection, environmental mycobacteria may also play a role in chronic bowl diseases, allergies, immunity to other pulmonary infections, and the efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination.
2. Ecology of nontuberculous mycobacteria--where do human infections come from?Joseph O Falkinham 3rd. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2013 Feb;34(1):95-102. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1333568. Epub 2013 Mar 4. Abstract: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental, opportunistic human pathogens whose reservoirs include peat-rich potting soil and drinking water in buildings and households. In fact, humans are likely surrounded by NTM. NTM are ideally adapted for residence in drinking water distribution systems and household and building plumbing as they are disinfectant-resistant, surface adherent, and able to grow on low concentrations of organic matter. For individuals at risk for NTM infection, measures can be taken to reduce NTM exposure. These include avoiding inhalation of dusts from peat-rich potting soil and aerosols from showers, hot tubs, and humidifiers. A risk analysis of the presence of NTM in drinking water has not been initiated because the virulence of independent isolates of even single NTM species (e.g., Mycobacterium avium) is quite broad, and virulence determinants have not been identified.
3. Environmental sources of nontuberculous mycobacteria. Joseph O Falkinham 3rd. Clin Chest Med. 2015 Mar;36(1):35-41. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2014.10.003. Abstract: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) include over 150 species. The source for human infection is the environment. NTM are normal inhabitants of soil and drinking water. NTM grow and persist in many buildings. They are not contaminants of drinking water, but members of the natural drinking water microbial population. Infection occurs because humans share the same habitats. Because the ecology, antibiotic susceptibility, and virulence of individual species differs, identifying NTM isolates to species is important. Treatment requires multiple antibiotics. NTM patients are innately sensitive to NTM infection, resulting in reinfection. Knowledge of the sources of NTM can reduce exposure to environmental NTM.
4. Current Epidemiologic Trends of the Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM). Joseph O Falkinham 3rd. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2016 Jun;3(2):161-7. doi: 10.1007/s40572-016-0086-z. Abstract: The nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are waterborne opportunistic pathogens of humans. They are normal inhabitants of premise plumbing, found, for example, in household and hospital shower heads, water taps, aerators, and hot tubs. The hydrophobic NTM are readily aerosolized, and pulmonary infections and hypersensitivity pneumonitis have been traced to the presence of NTM in shower heads. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in automotive workers was traced to the presence of NTM in metal recovery fluid used in grinding operations. Recently, NTM bacteremia in heart transplant patients has been traced to the presence of NTM in water reservoirs of instruments employed in operating rooms to heat and cool patient blood during periods of mechanical circulation. Although NTM are difficult to eradicate from premise plumbing as a consequence of their disinfectant-resistance and formation of biofilms, measures such as reduction of turbidity and reduction in carbon and nitrogen for growth and the installation of microbiological filters can reduce exposure of NTM to susceptible individuals.