Evaluation of Legionella spp. Colonization in Residential Buildings Having Solar Thermal System for Hot Water Production.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 17(19)2020 09 26.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32993154
ABSTRACT
Despite an increase of literature data on Legionella spp. presence in private water systems, epidemiological reports assert a continuing high incidence of Legionnaires' disease infection in Italy. In this study, we report a survey on Legionella spp. colonization in 58 buildings with solar thermal systems for hot water production (TB). In all buildings, Legionella spp. presence was enumerated in hot and cold water samples. Microbiological potability standards of cold water were also evaluated. Legionella spp. was detected in 40% of the buildings. Moreover, we detected correlations between the count of Legionella spp. and the presence of the optimal temperature for the microorganism growth (less than 40 °C). Our results showed that cold water was free from microbiological hazards, but Legionella spp., was detected when the mean cold water temperature was 19.1 ± 2.2 °C. This may considered close to the suboptimal value for the Legionella growth (more then 20 °C). In conclusion, we observed the presence of a Legionnaires' disease risk and the need of some strategies aimed to reduce it, such as the application of training programs for all the workers involved in water systems maintenance.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Legionella
/
Doença dos Legionários
/
Água
/
Temperatura Alta
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Environ Res Public Health
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália