Monitoring water systems to prevent Legionnaires' disease

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 800-802
Author(s):  
Matthew Hamar
Keyword(s):  
Water Systems ◽  
Legionnaires Disease

scholarly journals Highlighting the Potency of Biosurfactants Produced by Pseudomonas Strains as Anti-Legionella Agents

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clémence Loiseau ◽  
Emilie Portier ◽  
Marie-Hélène Corre ◽  
Margot Schlusselhuber ◽  
Ségolène Depayras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Antagonistic Activity ◽  
Reverse Phase Hplc ◽  
Reverse Phase ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Legionnaires Disease ◽  
Culture Supernatants ◽  
Multispecies Biofilms

Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, is a waterborne bacterium mainly found in man-made water systems in close association with free-living amoebae and multispecies biofilms. Pseudomonas strains, originating from various environments including freshwater systems or isolated from hospitalized patients, were tested for their antagonistic activity towards L. pneumophila. A high amount of tested strains was thus found to be active. This antibacterial activity was correlated to the presence of tensioactive agents in culture supernatants. As Pseudomonas strains were known to produce biosurfactants, these compounds were specifically extracted and purified from active strains and further characterized using reverse-phase HPLC and mass spectrometry methods. Finally, all biosurfactants tested (lipopeptides and rhamnolipids) were found active and this activity was shown to be higher towards Legionella strains compared to various other bacteria. Therefore, described biosurfactants are potent anti-Legionella agents that could be used in the water treatment industry although tests are needed to evaluate how effective they would be under field conditions.

Computational framework for evaluating risk trade-offs in costs associated with Legionnaires’ Disease risk, energy, and scalding risk for hospital hot water systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Heida ◽  
Alexis Mraz ◽  
Mark Hamilton ◽  
Mark Weir ◽  
Kerry A Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Computational Framework ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Pontiac Fever ◽  
Legionnaires Disease

Legionella pneumophila are bacteria that when inhaled cause Legionnaires’ Disease (LD) and febrile illness Pontiac Fever. As of 2014, LD is the most frequent cause of waterborne disease outbreaks due...

scholarly journals Evaluation of Legionella spp. Colonization in Residential Buildings Having Solar Thermal System for Hot Water Production

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7050
Author(s):  
Michele Totaro ◽  
Anna Laura Costa ◽  
Lorenzo Frendo ◽  
Sara Profeti ◽  
Beatrice Casini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cold Water ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Systems Maintenance ◽  
Legionnaires Disease ◽  
Cold Water Temperature

Despite an increase of literature data on Legionella spp. presence in private water systems, epidemiological reports assert a continuing high incidence of Legionnaires’ disease infection in Italy. In this study, we report a survey on Legionella spp. colonization in 58 buildings with solar thermal systems for hot water production (TB). In all buildings, Legionella spp. presence was enumerated in hot and cold water samples. Microbiological potability standards of cold water were also evaluated. Legionella spp. was detected in 40% of the buildings. Moreover, we detected correlations between the count of Legionella spp. and the presence of the optimal temperature for the microorganism growth (less than 40 °C). Our results showed that cold water was free from microbiological hazards, but Legionella spp., was detected when the mean cold water temperature was 19.1 ± 2.2 °C. This may considered close to the suboptimal value for the Legionella growth (more then 20 °C). In conclusion, we observed the presence of a Legionnaires’ disease risk and the need of some strategies aimed to reduce it, such as the application of training programs for all the workers involved in water systems maintenance.

Experiences of the First 16 Hospitals Using Copper-Silver Ionization forLegionellaControl: Implications for the Evaluation of Other Disinfection Modalities

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 563-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E. Stout ◽  
Victor L. Yu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Disinfection Methods ◽  
Legionnaires Disease ◽  
Hospital Acquired

AbstractBackground and Objectives:Hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease can be prevented by disinfection of hospital water systems. This study assessed the long-term efficacy of copper-silver ionization as a disinfection method in controllingLegionellain hospital water systems and reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease. A standardized, evidence-based approach to assist hospitals with decision making concerning the possible purchase of a disinfection system is presented.Design:The first 16 hospitals to install copper-silver ionization systems forLegionelladisinfection were surveyed. Surveys conducted in 1995 and 2000 documented the experiences of the hospitals with maintenance of the system, contamination of water withLegionella, and occurrence of hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease. All were acute care hospitals with a mean of 435 beds.Results:All 16 hospitals reported cases of hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease prior to installing the copper-silver ionization system. Seventy-five percent had previously attempted other disinfection methods including superheat and flush, ultraviolet light, and hyperchlorination. By 2000, the ionization systems had been operational from 5 to 11 years. Prior to installation, 47% of the hospitals reported that more than 30% of distal water sites yieldedLegionella. In 1995, after installation, 50% of the hospitals reported 0% positivity, and 43% still reported 0% in 2000. Moreover, no cases of hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease have occurred in any hospital since 1995.Conclusions:This study represents the final step in a proposed 4-step evaluation process of disinfection systems that includes (1) demonstrated efficacy ofLegionellaeradication in vitro using laboratory assays, (2) anecdotal experiences in preventing legionnaires' disease in individual hospitals, (3) controlled studies in individual hospitals, and (4) validation in confirmatory reports from multiple hospitals during a prolonged time (5 to 11 years in this study). Copper-silver ionization is now the only disinfection modality to have fulfilled all four evaluation criteria.

scholarly journals Legionellosis in Poland in 2017

2019 ◽  
pp. 151-155
Author(s):  
Hanna Stypułkowska-Misiurewicz ◽  
Michał Czerwiński
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Contaminated Water ◽  
Annual Incidence Rate ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Pontiac Fever ◽  
Acute Form ◽  
Legionnaires Disease

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study is to assess the epidemiological situation of legionellosis in Poland in 2017 in comparison with previous years. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The analysis is based on national surveillance data published in the annual bulletin: “Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2017” and bulletins from previous years along with data from legionellosis case reports collected and sent to the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Surveillance NIPH – NIH by Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations. RESULTS. In Poland, both cases of Legionnaires’ disease (an acute form of infection with pneumonia) and Pontiac fever (a mild, influenza-like form of infection) are routinely reported to the surveillance system. In 2017, a total of 39 cases of legionellosis were registered, including 38 cases of Legionnaires’ disease and 1 case of Pontiac fever; the annual incidence rate 0.102 (per 100,000 population) has increased by almost 50 percent since previous year (0.070) and is almost three times higher than the median incidence (0.036) for 2011-2015. The infections were reported in fourteen voivodeships; only one voivodeship (Świętokrzyskie) did not register any case in last years. The incidence in men (0.129 per 100,000) was higher compared to women (0.076); the highest incidence (0.323) was noted in men aged 50-59. All reported cases were sporadic and were hospitalised. The Sanitary Inspection reported nine fatal cases – 6 women and 3 men. Thirty three cases were autochthonous including four cases linked with contaminated water systems in health-care settings. Six cases were associated with travels abroad (to Egypt, Albania, Italy and Crete). SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. Although in recent years number of reported cases continues to rise, the incidence of legionellosis in Poland remains one of the lowest in the entire EU. Also draws attention variation of incidence between provinces and a high mortality among reported cases. Our data suggest significant under-diagnosis of legionellosis. A priority remains to improve early diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease in health care settings.

Legionellosis and legionnaires’ disease

2020 ◽  
pp. 1226-1229
Author(s):  
Diego Viasus ◽  
Jordi Carratalà
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Freshwater Streams ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Legionnaires Disease ◽  
Failure Prognosis ◽  
Human Infections

Legionellaceae are Gram-negative bacilli, of which Legionella pneumophila is the principal cause of human infections. Their natural habitats are freshwater streams, lakes, thermal springs, moist soil, and mud, but the principal source for large outbreaks of legionellosis is cooling systems used for air conditioning and other cooling equipment. Legionella spp. are principally transmitted to humans through contaminated water aerosols. Middle-aged men, smokers, regular alcohol drinkers, and those with comorbidity are most at risk. Aside from supportive care, the first-choice antibiotics are macrolides (mainly azithromycin) and/or fluoroquinolones (especially levofloxacin). Case fatality is 5–15% in previously well adults, but much higher in those who are immunocompromised or develop respiratory failure. Prognosis is improved by early administration of effective anti-legionella antibiotic therapy. Prevention is by the correct design, maintenance, and monitoring of water systems.

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