title: Detection of legionella contamination in tabriz hospitals by PCR assay.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of Legionella contamination in the tap water of Tabriz hospitals, Azerbaijan, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and forty water samples from diverse water supply systems of 17 hospitals were collected and analyzed for the presence of Legionella spp. by PCR assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, 10 of 140 (7.1%) samples were positive for Legionella which L. pneumophila was detected in 4 (2.85%) water samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, hospital potable systems are the primary reservoirs for Legionnaires' disease. This study concludes that Legionella spp. are present in aquatic hospitals environment of Tabriz. Due to the serious risk of infections, it is better to make efforts to eliminate Legionella spp. in water supplies.
authors: Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ; Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Reza
authors: R
authors: Ghotaslou
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Yeganeh Sefidan
authors: Mohammad Taghi
authors: MT
authors: Akhi
authors: Mohammad Hussein
authors: MH
authors: Soroush
authors: Mohammad Saeid
authors: MS
authors: Hejazi
keywords: Hospital; Legionella spp.; Water system