title: Risk factors for contamination of hotel water distribution systems by Legionella species.
abstract: The Legionella colonization frequency at 385 Greek hotel hot and cold water distribution systems was 20.8%. Legionella contamination was associated with the presence of an oil heater (odds ratio [OR]=2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.12 to 3.70), with the sample temperature (OR=0.26, 95% CI=0.1 to 0.5), with seasonal operation (OR=3.23, 95% CI=1.52 to 6.87), and with the presence of an independent disinfection system (OR=0.30, 95% CI=0.15 to 0.62). The same water temperatures, free-chlorine levels, and pHs differently affect the survival of various Legionella spp.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 Papakiriazi Str., Larissa 41222, Greece.
authors.forename: Varvara
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mouchtouri
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Velonakis
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsakalof
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kapoula
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goutziana
authors.forename: Alkiviadis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vatopoulos
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kremastinou
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hadjichristodoulou
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology*; D006115:Greece; D007875:Legionella / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014195:Travel; D014876:Water Pollution; D014881:Water Supply