Water quality parameters associated with prevalence of Legionella in hot spring facility water bodies.
Some species of Legionella are recognized as opportunistic potential human pathogens, such as Legionella pneumophila, which causes legionnaires disease. Indeed, outbreaks of legionellosis are frequently reported in areas in which the organism has been spread via aerosols from contaminated institutional water systems. Contamination in hot tubs, spas and public baths are also possible. As a result, in this study, we investigated the distribution of Legionella at six hot spring recreation areas throughout Taiwan. Legionella were detected in all six hot spring recreation areas, as well as in 20 of the 72 samples that were collected (27.8%). Seven species of Legionella identified from samples by the direct DNA extraction method were unidentified Legionella spp., Legionella anisa, L. pneumophila, Legionella erythra, Legionella lytica, Legionella gresilensis and Legionella rubrilucen. Three species of Legionella identified in the samples using the culture method were L. pneumophila, unidentified Legionella spp. and L. erythra. Legionella species were found in water with temperatures ranging from 22.7 °C to 48.6 °C. The optimal pH appeared to range from 5.0 to 8.0. Taken together, the results of this survey confirmed the ubiquity of Legionella in Taiwan spring recreational areas. Therefore, a long-term investigation of the health of workers at hot spring recreational areas and the occurrence of Legionella in hot spring recreational areas throughout Taiwan are needed.
Huang
Shih-Wei
SW
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Minhsiung Township, Chiayi County 62102, Taiwan, ROC.
Hsu
Bing-Mu
BM
Wu
Shu-Fen
SF
Fan
Cheng-Wei
CW
Shih
Feng-Cheng
FC
Lin
Yung-Chang
YC
Ji
Dar-Der
DD
D001483:Base Sequence; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005843:Geography; D045482:Hot Springs / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007875:Legionella / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011998:Recreation; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards
D004269:DNA, Bacterial