Prevalence of Legionella spp. in water systems of hospitals and hotels in South Western Greece

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Legionella spp. in water systems of hospitals and hotels located in South Western Greece, to study the molecular epidemiology of the isolated strains and their possible association with bacterial contamination (total count and Pseudomon...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental health research 2012-08, Vol.22 (4), p.340-354
Main Authors: Fragou, K., Kokkinos, P., Gogos, C., Alamanos, Y., Vantarakis, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cold Temperature
Colony Count, Microbial
Contamination
Drinking Water - chemistry
Drinking Water - microbiology
Epidemiology
Gram-negative bacteria
Greece
Hospitals
Hot Temperature
hotels
Housing
Legionella - classification
Legionella - genetics
Legionella - isolation & purification
Legionella pneumophila
Legionella pneumophila - classification
Legionella pneumophila - genetics
Legionella pneumophila - isolation & purification
Legionella species
microbiological surveillance
Phylogeny
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Serotyping
Temperature
water distribution systems
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Summary:The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Legionella spp. in water systems of hospitals and hotels located in South Western Greece, to study the molecular epidemiology of the isolated strains and their possible association with bacterial contamination (total count and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), the water pH, and temperature. A prevalence survey for Legionella spp. by culturing techniques in water distribution systems of eight hospitals and nine hotels occurred in South Western Greece. Water sampling and microbiological analysis were carried out following the ISO methods. Legionella pneumophila was detected in 33% and 36% of the distribution systems of hospitals and hotels, respectively. Our survey results suggest a frequent prevalence of elevated concentrations of Legionella spp. in water systems of hospitals and hotels. Our investigation has confirmed the need to regularly monitor the microbiological condition of water systems in hospitals and hotels.
ISSN:0960-3123
1369-1619
DOI:10.1080/09603123.2011.643229