Isolation and identification of Legionella and their host amoebae from weak alkaline carbonate spring water using a culture method combined with PCR

Huang, Shing-Tsaan; Hsu, Bing-Mu; Chen, Nai-Hsiung; Huang, Chin-Chun; Huang, Kuan-Hao; Chen, Jung‐Sheng; Kao, Po-Min

doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2366-8

Cited by 27 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…was detected in the raw and finished water of all DWTPs and WWTPs, indicating that the purification processes used in these treatment plants did not eliminate this opportunistic agent. This fact is important to highlight since such amoebae have been described as vectors or reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms (Scheid et al 2008;Valster et al 2011;Huang et al 2011). Our results are not surprising, since similar data have been obtained by the previous reports from DWTP.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba isolated in water treatment plants and comparison with clinical isolates

et al. 2012

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A total of 116 samples (44 clinical specimens and 72 environmental samples) have been analyzed for the presence of Acanthamoeba. The environmental samples (ESs) were collected from four drinking water treatment plants (DWTP, n=32), seven wastewater treatment plants (n=28), and six locations of influence (n=12) on four river basins from the central area of Spain (winter-spring 2008). Water samples were concentrated by using the IDEXX Filta-Max(®) system. Acanthamoeba was identified in 65 of the 72 ESs by culture isolation (90.3%) and 63 by real-time PCR (87.5%), resulting in all sampling points (100%) positive for Acanthamoeba when considering both techniques and all the time period analyzed. Nine of the 44 clinical specimens were positive for Acanthamoeba. Seventeen Acanthamoeba strains (eight from four DWTP and nine from clinical samples) were also established in axenic-PYG medium. Twenty-four of the ESs and the 17 Acanthamoeba sp. strains were genotyped as T4/1, T4/8, and T4/9. The eight strains isolated from the DWTP samples were inoculated in nude mouse to ascertain their potential pathogenicity in this model. Animals that were inoculated died or showed central nervous system symptoms 9 days post-inoculation. Examination of immunofluorescence-stained brain and lung tissue sections showed multiple organisms invading both tissues, and re-isolation of throphozoites was successful in these tissues of all infected animals. For the first time, potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba T4 has been detected in 100% of different types of water samples including tap water and sewage effluents in the central area of Spain suggesting a potential health threat for humans especially for the contact lens wearers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba isolated in water treatment plants and comparison with clinical isolates

et al. 2012

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“…and Naegleria spp., all commonly found in fresh water. Some have suggested that culturing for free-living amoebae from a suspected water source may increase the sensitivity of Legionella detection [27]. …”

Section: Legionellamentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of water in healthcare-associated infections

Decker

Palmore

2013

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases

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Purpose of review The aim is to discuss the epidemiology of infections that arise from contaminated water in healthcare settings, including Legionnaire’s disease, other Gram-negative pathogens, nontuberculous mycobacteria, and fungi. Recent findings Legionella can colonize a hospital water system and infect patients despite use of preventive disinfectants. Evidence-based measures are available for secondary prevention. Vulnerable patients can develop care-associated infections with waterborne organisms that are transmitted by colonization of plumbing systems, including sinks and their fixtures. Room humidifiers and decorative fountains have been implicated in serious outbreaks, and pose unwarranted risks in healthcare settings. Summary Design of hospital plumbing must be purposeful and thoughtful to avoid the features that foster growth and dissemination of Legionella and other pathogens. Exposure of patients who have central venous catheters and other invasive devices to tap water poses a risk for infection with waterborne pathogens. Healthcare facilities must conduct aggressive clinical surveillance for Legionnaire’s disease and other waterborne infections in order to detect and remediate an outbreak promptly. Hand hygiene is the most important measure to prevent transmission of other Gram-negative waterborne pathogens in the healthcare setting.

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“…According to the authors, no significant correlation was found between the number of Legionella and the temperature of the samples (≥40°C). Legionella , capable of reproducing at temperatures between 25 and 50°C and surviving at temperatures of up to 55–60°C, thrive in both natural and anthropogenic hot water systems .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They have been identified in both natural and anthropogenic water bodies (rivers, ponds, lakes, thermal springs as well as swimming pools, cooling towers, water distribution networks) . They are also found in brine baths filled with thermal saline deepwater .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of Legionella pneumophila in Thermal Pools

Walczak

Burkowska‐But

Brzezinska

et al. 2016

CLEAN Soil Air Water

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The study was aimed at assessing whether there is a risk of Legionella pneumophila in thermal pools used in balneotherapy and recreation. Water samples were collected from five thermal baths, supplied by thermal waters. The total number of bacteria was determined in the direct microscopic count under a fluorescence microscope. The numbers of bacteria from investigated phylogenetic groups (Legionella sp. and L. pneumophila) were estimated with the use of a fluorescence in situ hybridization method. The highest average total number of bacteria in the entire research cycle was recorded in old pools labeled OB1 and OB2. Bacteria belonging to the Legionella genus along with L. pneumophila were identified in all water samples collected from each bath. Moreover, a biofilm containing cells of L. pneumophila was identified in the collected water samples. The number of bacteria in water was dependent on the bath's age, the operation and the maintenance of the facilities. In old pools, with water exchanged periodically, the risk of L. pneumophila was higher; in new pools with a continual flow of water, lower. The results of this research showed no correlation between the number of Legionella and water temperature. Legionella pneumophila can successfully develop not only in fresh water bodies but in thermal baths as well. Still, it is uncertain whether the commonly applied culture method, developed for freshwater bodies, is also suitable for thermal baths.Abbreviations: DAPI, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylin; FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization; NB, new bath; OB, old bath; TNB, total number of bacteria

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Isolation and identification of Legionella and their host amoebae from weak alkaline carbonate spring water using a culture method combined with PCR

Cited by 27 publications

References 44 publications

Molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba isolated in water treatment plants and comparison with clinical isolates

Molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba isolated in water treatment plants and comparison with clinical isolates

The role of water in healthcare-associated infections

Distribution of Legionella pneumophila in Thermal Pools

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