Abstract

ETTO, Helder Yudji  and  RAZZOLINI, Maria Tereza Pepe. Detection of the Legionella genus in water samples from air conditioning systems. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2011, vol.20, n.4, pp.557-564. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742011000400015.

OBJECTIVE: the study aims to determine Legionella presence in water samples from air-conditioning systems. METHODOLOGY: 41 samples of water from air-conditioning systems were concentrated on membrane, and received acid treatment; aliquots of the sample treated and not treated with acid were inoculated on BCYE-α agar medium, with and without added antibiotics. RESULTS: from the samples analyzed, 4 (9.8%) were positive for Legionella sp.; one was identified as Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, revealing the presence of Legionella sp. in those systems; it was observed a higher frequency in isolates from hospitals. CONCLUSION: the results demonstrate the importance and the need of monitoring plans in air-conditioning systems as a preventive measure against colonization by pathogens

Keywords : Legionella; water; air conditioning.

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