scholarly journals Legionella sp. in water systems in public teaching and education facilities in Małopolskie voivodeship in 2016

2019 ◽  
pp. 227-237
Author(s):  
Jacek Żak ◽  
Karolina Orlińska ◽  
Magdalena Koperny ◽  
Jarosław Foremny ◽  
Katarzyna Bandoła ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Water Spray ◽  
Taking Action

INTRODUCTION. Bacteria Legionella sp. found in water distribution systems, especially warm, transferred to water spray devices for aerators and showers in the form of aerosols infected with them become a threat to the human inhaler. OBJECTIVE. Assessment of colonization of the water supply network with Legionella bacteria in teaching and education facilities in Małopolska in 2016 year. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The results of water samples taken from plumbing installations were analyzed in teaching and education facilities by employees of the State Sanitary Inspection of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. RESULTS. The results of 366 testing hot water samples in 111 teaching and education centers in Małopolska have shown that in 123 testing samples (33,6%) in 48 centers (43,2%) the water sample was colonized with Legionella sp. and the water quality did not meet the requirements of the current ordinance of the Minister of Health. CONCLUSIONS. It is justified to periodically monitor the presence of Legionella sp. in water supply installations in teaching and education centers and taking action to reduce the colonization of these bacteria.

scholarly journals Legionella spp. in Polish hospitals in 2009–2013 and 2014–2016: An epidemiological analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
Iwona Gładysz ◽  
Agnieszka Sikora ◽  
Małgorzata Wójtowicz-Bobin ◽  
Jan Karczewski
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Atypical Pneumonia ◽  
Epidemiological Analysis ◽  
Pontiac Fever ◽  
Supply Systems

Introduction: Bacteria of the genus Legionella cause Legionnaires’ disease (atypical pneumonia, often with a severe clinical course) and Pontiac fever (self-limiting infection with flu-like symptoms). Legionella spp. are commonly found in natural aquatic environments and artificial water distribution systems. Material&Methods: An epidemiological analysis of Legionella spp. in hospital water supply systems was based on the results obtained from Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations of Poland. The materials for this study were hot water samples collected from 346 hospitals in 2009–2013 and from 221 hospitals in 2014–2016. Results: Between 2014 and 2016, there was a decrease in the percentage of the number of water samples in Group A (<100 CFU/100 ml). In other groups: B (>100 CFU/100 ml), C (>1000 CFU/100 ml), D (>10 000 CFU/100 ml) was observed an increase in the percentage of the number of water samples, which was a negative phenomenon. The mean number of L. pneumophila colonies in analyzed periods 2009–2013 and 2014–2016 were different. In 2009–2013, the most virulent L. pneumophila serogroup 1 (SG 1) was detected in 3 hospitals (0.9%), and L. pneumophila SG 2-14 were isolated in 20 (5.5%). Between 2014 and 2016, L. pneumophila SG 1 and L. pneumophila SG 2-14 were found in 5 hospitals (2.2%) and 18 hospitals (8.1%), respectively. Disscusion: In this study a comparative epidemiological analysis was performed on the prevalence of L. pneumophila in hospital water supply systems in Poland in the following two periods: 2009 –2013 and 2014–2016. The study demonstrated that the water supply systems of Polish hospitals were colonized by L. pneumophila at different levels. However, between 2014 and 2016 an upward trend was observed in comparison with 2009–2013.

Fungi from Potable Water: Interaction with Chlorine and Engineering Effects

1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Rosenzweig ◽  
Wesley O. Pipes
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Storage Tanks ◽  
Water Interaction ◽  
Low Concentrations

In recent years various types of imperfect fungi have been isolated from water systems. Fungal spores and mycelia can be inactivated by low concentrations of chlorine in the laboratory but survive in some habitats in water distribution systems. This report describes a field study which provides evidence that some types of fungi are able to grow in water distribution systems. Replicate samples from private residences were used to demonstrate that fungal densities are sometimes much greater than the levels which could be explained by adventitious spores. The microbiological content of water samples from fire hydrants was often significantly different from that of water samples from nearby private residences. The treated water input to distribution systems was found to be significantly lower in fungus content than water from private residences. Elevated storage tanks open to the atmosphere appear to be significant sources of fungal input to some systems.

scholarly journals Efficacy of copper–silver ionization for controlling fungal colonization in water distribution systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-280
Author(s):  
Chang-Hua Chen ◽  
Li-Chen Lin ◽  
Yu-Jun Chang ◽  
Chun-Eng Liu ◽  
Maw-Soan Soon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Fusarium Species ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Penicillium Species ◽  
Ionization Method ◽  
Study Hospital

The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of fungal colonization in water systems and to evaluate the effect of decreasing fungal colonization by a copper–silver ionization system. Environmental samples were collected for fungal culture prospectively during a 1-year period (2011–2012) at the study hospital. A total of 392 water samples were examined from five buildings on March 1, 2011 and February 29, 2012. Fungi were isolated in 13 (3.4%) of 392 water samples from five buildings. The prevalence of fungal colonization in buildings was decreased from 4.76% (9/189) to 1.97% (4/203), a reduction of more than 40%, in pre-ionization and post-ionization treatment (p &lt; 0.001). Thirteen (3.4%) of 392 water samples yielded fungi including Fusarium species (n = 7), Penicillium species (n = 2), Scedosporium species (n = 2), Aspergillus species (n = 1), and one unidentifiable mold. The number of isolated Fusarium species in ionized water samples (0.5% (1/203)) was statistically lower than those in nonionized (3.2% (6/189)) (p = 0.003). Our finding may determine if this ionization method can be applied for control of waterborne fungi colonization in hospital water systems.

scholarly journals A study of drinking water quality before and after its purification in Saint-Petersburg

2019 ◽  
pp. 13-15
Author(s):  
Tatiana Ivanovna Zhilochkina ◽  
Andrei Igorevich Seliverstov
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Saint Petersburg ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The City ◽  
Comprehensive Study

This article is devoted to a comprehensive study of drinking water before and after its purification. Water samples taken at 5 water supply and 5 water distribution stations of the city were used in the study. The author comes to the conclusion that the use of the monitoring system allows you to respond quickly to any changes in the quality of the drinking water, and quickly make decisions that affect its purification.

scholarly journals Legionella Species in Year-Round vs. Seasonal Accommodation Water Supply Systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Rakić ◽  
Jelena Perić ◽  
Nives Štambuk-Giljanović ◽  
Antonija Mikrut ◽  
Ana-Spomenka Bakavić
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽  
Summer Season ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Residual Chlorine ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Supply Systems

LegionellaSpecies in Year-Roundvs.Seasonal Accommodation Water Supply SystemsThe purpose of this study was to compare the quality of hot water between eleven hotels in the Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia that are open year round and 10 summer season hotels and retirement homes with irregular use of water. We took 122 samples between May and December 2009. Water temperature and free residual chlorine were measuredin situ.Physical and chemical analysis included pH, electrical conductivity, and concentrations of iron, manganese, copper, zinc, calcium, and magnesium that were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while theLegionellaspecies were determined using a cultivation method on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar.Differences in metal concentrations between the seasonal and year-round accommodation facilities were negligible, save for zinc that was higher in year-round (0.341 mg L-1) than in seasonal facilities (0.130 mg L-1).Samples from all year-round and six summer season hotels were negative to theLegionellaspecies, but four seasonal facilities turned up with positive samples toLegionella pneumophila.Our study has demonstrated that water quality differs between year-round and seasonal accommodation facilities. These findings suggest that metal plumbing components and associated corrosion products are important factors in the survival and growth ofLegionellaspecies in water distribution systems.

Occurrence of legionellae in hot water distribution systems of Finnish apartment buildings

1994 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 993-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Outi M. Zacheus ◽  
Pertti J. Martikainen
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Ground Water ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Apartment Buildings ◽  
Water Plants

The occurrence of legionellae in the hot water distribution systems of 67 buildings located in different parts of Finland was studied. Most of the buildings were apartment buildings. They had different hot water temperatures, and some received their cold potable water from surface water plants and some from ground water plants. Hot water samples were taken from taps, showers, and water mains just before and after the heat exchanger. Legionella pneumophila was isolated from 30% of the distribution systems. In the legionella-positive samples the legionella concentration varied from < 50 to 3.2 × 105 colony-forming units (cfu)/L (mean 2.7 × 103 cfu/L). The highest concentration of legionellae was found in the shower water. Legionellae appeared more often and with higher concentrations in hot water systems using cold water processed in surface water plants than in hot water systems associated with ground water plants. A high organic matter content in surface waters might favor the occurrence of legionellae and also the growth of other heterotrophic microbes. Mean water temperature just after heating was slightly higher in the legionella-negative systems than in the legionella-positive systems (53.5 vs. 51.5 °C).Key words: Legionella, organic carbon, hot water distribution system, water temperature.

scholarly journals Legionella pneumophila’s Tsp is important for surviving thermal stress in water and inside amoeba

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Saoud ◽  
Thangadurai Mani ◽  
Sébastien P. Faucher
Keyword(s):  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Exponential Phase ◽  
Hot Water

ABSTRACTLegionella pneumophila (Lp) is an inhabitant of natural and man-made water systems where it replicates within amoebae and ciliates and survives within biofilms. When Lp-contaminated aerosols are breathed in, Lp will enter the lungs and infect human alveolar macrophages, causing a severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires Disease. Lp is often found in hot water distribution systems (HWDS), which are linked to nosocomial outbreaks. Heat treatment is used to disinfect HWDS and reduce the concentration of Lp. However, Lp is often able to recolonize these water systems, indicating an efficient heat-shock response. Tail-specific proteases (Tsp) are typically periplasmic proteases implicated in degrading aberrant proteins in the periplasm and important for surviving thermal stress. In this paper, we show that Tsp, encoded by the lpg0499 gene in Lp Philadelphia-1, is important for surviving thermal stress in water and for optimal infection of amoeba when a shift in temperature occurs during intracellular growth. Tsp is expressed in the post-exponential phase but repressed in the exponential phase. The cis-encoded small regulatory RNA Lpr17 shows opposite expression, suggesting that it represses translation of tsp. In addition, tsp is regulated by CpxR, a major regulator in Lp, in a Lpr17-independent manner. Deletion of CpxR also reduced the ability of Lp to survive heat shock. In conclusion, this study shows that Tsp is an important factor for the survival and growth of Lp in water systems.IMPORTANCELegionella pneumophila (Lp) is a major cause of nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia. Lp is found in water systems including hot water distribution systems. Heat treatment is a method of disinfection often used to limit Lp’s presence in such systems; however, the benefit is usually short term as Lp is able to quickly recolonize these systems. Presumably, Lp respond efficiently to thermal stress, but so far not much is known about the genes involved. In this paper, we show that the Tail-specific protease (Tsp) and the two-component system CpxRA are required for resistance to thermal stress, when Lp is free in water and when it is inside host cells. Our study identifies critical systems for the survival of Lp in its natural environment under thermal stress.

scholarly journals The Tail-Specific Protease Is Important for Legionella pneumophila To Survive Thermal Stress in Water and inside Amoebae

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Saoud ◽  
Thangadurai Mani ◽  
Sébastien P. Faucher
Keyword(s):  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Host Cells

ABSTRACT Legionella pneumophila (Lp) is an inhabitant of natural and human-made water systems, where it replicates within amoebae and ciliates and survives within biofilms. When Lp-contaminated aerosols are breathed in, Lp can enter the lungs and may infect human alveolar macrophages, causing severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. Lp is often found in hot water distribution systems (HWDS), which are linked to nosocomial outbreaks. Heat treatment is used to disinfect HWDS and reduce the concentration of Lp. However, Lp is often able to recolonize these water systems, indicating an efficient heat shock response. Tail-specific proteases (Tsp) are typically periplasmic proteases implicated in degrading aberrant proteins in the periplasm and important for surviving thermal stress. In Lp Philadelphia-1, Tsp is encoded by the lpg0499 gene. In this paper, we show that Tsp is important for surviving thermal stress in water and for optimal infection of amoeba when a shift in temperature occurs during intracellular growth. We also demonstrate that Tsp is expressed in the postexponential phase but repressed in the exponential phase and that the cis-encoded small regulatory RNA Lpr17 shows the opposite expression, suggesting that it represses translation of tsp. In addition, our results show that tsp is regulated by CpxR, a major regulator in Lp, in an Lpr17-independent manner. Deletion of CpxR also reduced the ability of Lp to survive heat shock. In conclusion, our study shows that Tsp is likely an important factor for the survival and growth of Lp in water systems. IMPORTANCE Lp is a major cause of nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia. Lp is found in water systems, including hot water distribution systems. Heat treatment is a method of disinfection often used to limit the presence of Lp in such systems; however, the benefit is usually short term, as Lp is able to quickly recolonize these systems. Presumably, Lp responds efficiently to thermal stress, but so far, not much is known about the genes involved. In this paper, we show that the Tsp and the two-component system CpxRA are required for resistance to thermal stress when Lp is free in water and when it is inside host cells. Our study identifies critical systems for the survival of Lp in its natural environment under thermal stress.

Sensory aspects of drinking water in contact with epoxy lined copper pipe

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.H. Heim ◽  
A.M. Dietrich
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Sensory Analysis ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Free Chlorine ◽  
Copper Pipe

Pipe relining via in situ epoxy lining is used to remediate corroded plumbing or distribution systems. This investigation examined the effects on odour, TOC, THM formation and disinfectant demand in water exposed to epoxy-lined copper pipes used for home plumbing. The study was conducted in accordance with the Utility Quick Test, a migration/leaching method for utilities to conduct sensory analysis of materials in contact with drinking water. The test was performed using water with no disinfectant and levels of chlorine and monochloramines representative of those found in the distribution system. Panelists repeatedly and consistently described a “plastic/adhesive/putty” odour in the water from the pipes. The odour intensity remained relatively constant for each of two subsequent flushes. Water samples stored in the epoxy-lined pipes showed a significant increase in the leaching of organic compounds (as TOC), and this TOC was demonstrated to react with free chlorine to form trichloromethane. Water stored in the pipes also showed a marked increase in disinfectant demand relative to the water stored in glass control flasks. A study conducted at a full scale installation at an apartment demonstrated that after installation and regular use, the epoxy lining did not yield detectable differences in water quality.

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