title: Prevalence of Legionella pneumophila in water distribution systems in hospitals and public buildings of the Lublin region of eastern Poland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of L. pneumophila in water supply systems, hospitals and public buildings in the Lublin region of eastern Poland.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in 26 different objects in the Lublin region. The number of Legionella bacteria in water samples was determined by the membrane filtration method and/or by surface inoculation in accordance with the standards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed the presence of L. pneumophila in 166 hot water samples (74.77%). In 34.33% (n=57) of water samples the count of tested bacteria exceeded the acceptable level of >100 CFU/100 ml. Of the samples where an acceptable level of bacteria was exceeded, 49 samples had an average level of L. pneumophila (100-1,000 CFU/100 ml), and the level in 8 samples was high (>1,000 CFU/100 ml).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The water samples collected form the hot water supply system of hospitals and public buildings showed exceeded counts of L. pneumophila, indicating the risk of infection. The constant monitoring of water distribution systems is an important element of the control of infections caused by these organisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sikora
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wójtowicz-Bobin
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kozioł-Montewka
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magryś
authors.affiliation: Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Poland.
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gładysz
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006761:Hospitals; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011633:Public Facilities; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply