Legionella Contamination in the Water Environment of Public Places and the Legionella Infection of Legionella in Practitioners

Objectives To investigate the status of legionella contamination in the water environment of public places and the infection of legionella in practitioners.

Methods Water samples collected from the cooling water for central air conditioning system, the water for taking shower and tap water in public places were detected by culture for legionella.Serum anti-legionella pneumophila antibodies and legionella urinary antigen from practitioners in public places were detected.

Results The positive rates for legionella in cooling tower water, shower water and tap water were 75% (111/148), 27% (27/100) and 44% (22/50), respectively. Legionella pneumophila was detected in the vast majority of water samples, including LP1, LP2-8, LP10, L. micdadei and L. bozemanii. The total positive rate for legionella serum antibody was 66.0% (369/559). All anti LP1-LP14 antibodies have been detected; anti-LP12(45.9%) and anti-LP4(43.4%) were the dominant serotypes. The positive rate for antibody anti-LP1 was 8.8%. Legionella urinary antigen has not been detected (0/202).

Conclusions Legionella contamination in water environment (cooling tower water, shower water and tap water) in public places was serious. LP was the dominant bacterial type. The phenomenon that the practitioners in public places had a history of legionella infection was widespread. There might have a hidden danger of occurring community-acquired LD in public places.