Investigation of Legionella pneumophila and free living amoebas in the domestic hot water systems in İstanbul

Authors : Dilara Meryem BURAK, Zuhal ZEYBEK

Pages : 679-685

View : 18 | Download : 12

Publication Date : 2011-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Legionella pneumophila insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(L. pneumophila);, known to cause legionnaires` disease, has been found in various aquatic environments and man-made water systems. Free living amoebas insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(FLAs); live in the same environments and can cause infections such as encephalitis, keratitis. Moreover, FLAs play a major role in L. pneumophila transmission. In the present study, the presence of L. pneumophila and FLAs was examined in water and swab samples obtained from shower heads insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(hot water); in 61 houses in İstanbul. Nonnutrient agar insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(NNA); was used for isolation of FLAs in all samples and buffered charcoal yeast extract insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BCYE); agar with addition of glycine, vancomycine, polymixin, and natamycin insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GVPN); was used for isolation of L. pneumophila. These bacteria have been isolated from 21.3% of the houses examined and FLAs from 31%. Of the isolated L. pneumophila, 87.5% were named as L. pneumophila serogroup 2-14 and 12.5% as L. pneumophila serogroup 1. No significant correlation was found between the presence of L. pneumophila and FLAs. A significant correlation was found between the presence of L. pneumophila and the presence of a central heating system.
Keywords : Key words Legionella pneumophila, free living amoeba, domestic hot water, shower heads