Legionella Infection Risk from Domestic Hot Water

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Emerg Infect Dis
• Personal Author:
  Borella, Paola ; Montagna, M. Teresa ; Romano-Spica, Vincenzo ; Stampi, Serena ; Stancanelli, Giovanna ; Triassi, Maria ; Neglia, Rachele ; Marchesi, Isabella ; Fantuzzi, Guglielmina ; Tatò, Daniela ; Napoli, Christian ; Quaranta, Gianluigi ; Laurenti, Patrizia ; Leoni, Erica ; De Luca, Giovanna ; Ossi, Cristina ; Moro, Matteo ; D’Alcalà, Gabriella Ribera
• Description:
  We investigated Legionella and Pseudomonas contamination of hot water in a cross-sectional multicentric survey in Europe. Chemical parameters (hardness, free chlorine, and trace elements) were determined. Legionella spp. were detected in 33 (22.6%) and Pseudomonas spp. in 56 (38.4%) of 146 samples. Some factors associated with Legionella contamination were heater type, tank distance and capacity, water plant age, and mineral content. Pseudomonas presence was influenced by water source, hardness, free chlorine, and temperature. Legionella contamination was associated with a centralized heater, distance from the heater point >10 m, and a water plant >10 years old. Furthermore, zinc levels of <100 microg/L and copper levels of >50 microg/L appeared to be protective against Legionella colonization [corrected]. Legionella species and serogroups were differently distributed according to heater type, water temperature, and free chlorine, suggesting that Legionella strains may have a different sensibility and resistance to environmental factors and different ecologic niches.
• Subjects:
  Humans Legionella Legionella Pneumophila Legionellosis Legionnaires' Disease Metals Pseudomonas Risk Factors Water Microbiology Water Supply
• Source:
  Emerg Infect Dis. 10(3):457-464.
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Europe
• Volume:
  10
• Issue:
  3
• Collection(s):
  Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:31ee887436fc8bfa24b1ff61b2d1f8fab780bec393a5b8b273d7f0a6e9e1ef2a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/14163/cdc_14163_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 81.92 KB ]