Aims:  To investigate the prevalence of culturable and nonculturable Legionella species in hot water systems of public buildings in Japan and assess the risk factors associated with Legionella contamination in hot water systems. Methods and Results:  Legionella species were detected by conventional culture and molecular methods in 130 water samples collected from 40 buildings. A total of 26 (20·0%) water samples from 17 (42·5%) buildings were positive by culture, qualitative PCR or both methods: Legionella pneumophila and Leg. anisa were detected in four samples by a culture method, whereas 23 samples were positive by qualitative PCR, with the presence of various Legionella species confirmed by sequencing. Of these 23 samples, bacterial counts were quantifiable in 21 by real‐time PCR (from 1·7 × 105 to 2·6 × 1011 cells per litre). Phylogenetic analysis of amplified partial 16S rRNA gene showed close relations to various species of Legionella, including Leg. anisa and Leg. micdadei, all of which have been associated with respiratory diseases or increased antibody titres in human sera. Assessment of risk factors showed that turbidity, free chlorine concentration, iron concentration and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) were significantly associated with Legionella contamination (P < 0·05). Conclusions:  Contamination of hot water systems of public buildings with culturable and nonculturable Legionella species may be a potential risk factor for Legionella infection in Japan. Adequate levels of chlorine, low levels of iron and HPC are important maintenance measures in the reduction of Legionella contamination in hot water systems. Significance and Impact of the Study:  More than 40% of hot water systems in the Japanese public buildings examined were contaminated by not only culturable Leg. pneumophila and Leg. anisa but also by nonculturable pathogenic species. To our knowledge, this is the first report of both culturable and nonculturable Legionella contamination in hot water systems of public buildings in Japan.

To establish a convenient method for decontaminating bioclean rooms, the effect of ozone at 80 mg/m3 for 72 h was compared with formaldehyde vaporization at an initial concentration of 150 mg/m3 with a gradual decrease to 20 mg/m3 during 72 h. Ozone was found to be inferior to formaldehyde in activity. When the bioclean room was decontaminated twice with ozone, the mean colony count per 10 cm2 was decreased to about the same level as when formaldehyde was used. Ozone had a strong caustic effect upon rubber materials. Despite these disadvantages, ozone decontamination was demonstrated to be superior to formaldehyde vaporization because of convenience, insignificant inhalation of the disinfectant by the hospital staff, and very rapid expulsion of the gas after ventilation. Because the disadvantages of ozone can be easily controlled, this study suggests that ozone decontamination is a promising method for maintaining bioclean rooms.

The temperature dependence of normal and extraordinary Hall coefficients, and of specific resistivity in MnSb is measured by the application of alternative current and d.c. magnetic fleld. Contrary to ferromagnetic metals the observed materials have the large normal Hall coefficient above magnetic saturation, the values of which is positive and the order of 10-9m3/C., and the observed ones decrease with decreasing temperature. The rations R 0/ρ are almost constant at various temperatures below the Curie point and in the different samples. (R s /ρ) versus ρ curve seems to be linear. It may be thought to confirm the reliability of theory.

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