Coexistence of Legionella pneumophila Bacteria and Free-Living Amoebae in Lakes Serving as a Cooling System of a Power Plant

Żbikowska, Elżbieta; Kletkiewicz, Hanna; Walczak, Maciej; Burkowska, Aleksandra

doi:10.1007/s11270-014-2066-y

Cited by 23 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(53 reference statements)

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“…In recent years however, L. pneumophila has been prevalent in man-made water systems, including those found in cars (199), water distribution systems and buildings (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). In these reservoirs, L. pneumophila infects amoeba that upon inhalation act as a “Trojan horse” in humans (200, 201). Due to constant exposure to these water systems in infected infrastructures, cases of Legionellosis are becoming common in human populations (202).…”

Section: Environmental Microbes Turned Human Nightmaresmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Evolutionary Advantage to Disease Agents: Forensic Reevaluation of Host-Microbe Interactions and Pathogenicity

2017

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As the “human microbiome era” continues, there is an increasing awareness of our resident microbiota and its indispensable role in our increased fitness as holobionts. However, the host-microbe relationship is not so clearly defined for some human symbionts. Here we discuss examples of “accidental pathogens”, meaning previously non-pathogenic and/or environmental microbes thought to have inadvertently experienced an evolutionary shift towards pathogenicity. For instance, symbionts such as Helicobacter pylori and JC Polyomavirus have been shown to accompany humans since prehistoric times and are still abundant in extant populations as part of the microbiome. And yet, the relationship between a subgroup of these microbes and their human hosts seems to have changed with time, and they have recently gained notoriety as gastrointestinal and neuropathogens, respectively. On the other hand, environmental microbes such as Legionella spp. have recently experienced a shift in host range and are now a major problem in industrialized countries as a result of artificial ecosystems. Other variables involved in this accidental phenomenon could be the apparent change or reduction in the diversity of human-associated microbiota because of modern medicine and lifestyles. All of this could result in an increased prevalence of “accidental pathogens” in the form of emerging pathogens.

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Section: Environmental Microbes Turned Human Nightmaresmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Evolutionary Advantage to Disease Agents: Forensic Reevaluation of Host-Microbe Interactions and Pathogenicity

2017

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“…L. pneumophila has been isolated from cooling towers, warm water baths, water fountains [16,37,38], showers [39,40] and drinking water systems [41][42][43]. This OPPP has also been found to grow in amoebae [44,45], and this phenomenon has been found to make it resistant to disinfection [46][47][48].…”

Section: Pneumophilamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Acanthamoeba has gained attention as the infectious agent for a central nervous system disease called granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), which affects people with weakened immunity, as well as Acanthamoeba keratitis, an infection of the corneal epithelium [24,26,80]. A significant characteristic of Acanthamoeba in premise plumbing is its ability to act as a host of OPPPs such as L. pneumophila, P. aeruginosa and M. avium [25,45,46,[81][82][83]. A study of amoeba-related health risks in potable water systems [44] advocated for its monitoring to complement existing water quality monitoring approaches.…”

Section: Acanthamoebamentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Risks Associated with the Use of Water Mist Systems as a Cooling Intervention in Public Places in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia

Masaka¹,

Reed²,

Ooosthuizen³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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The exposure of people to opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) such as Legionella, Mycobacterium and Pseudomonas in aerosolised water has been linked to opportunistic infections. Water mist systems (WMS) that are used to cool public places by flash evaporation of tiny water aerosols are gaining prominence in hot climatic regions of Australia. Their potential to be colonised by OPPPs has not been adequately studied. The public health impact of OPPPs is significant, as Legionella caused 63% of waterborne disease case hospitalisations in the United States associated with drinking water systems during 2013–2014, and the incidence of Mycobacterium avium over the same period was 647 cases per 100,000. As WMS are part of premise plumbing, they have structural characteristics that can promote biofilm formation, as well as the presence of free-living amoebae (FLA), low residual disinfection levels, elevated water temperatures and oligotrophic conditions, all of which can promote OPPP inhabitancy. This review highlights the potential public health risks of using WMS as a cooling intervention in public places and advocates for their regulation in places of public assembly and entertainment.

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“…Legionella grows readily in man-made biofilm formed inside plumbing fixtures and pipes where warm temperatures and the build-up of nutrients and microorganisms on surfaces provide an ideal environment, which are also populated by other microorganisms involved into a multitude of trophic interactions [15,16,17,18]. Several factors can contribute to the potential risk of infection: water contamination levels, host factors (older age, tobacco smoke, chronic degenerative diseases, state of immunodeficiency, etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<i>Legionella</i> risk assessment in cruise ships and ferries

Laganà¹,

Gambuzza

Delia³

2017

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction. The increasing development of marine traffic has led to a rise in the incidence of legionellosis among travellers. It occurs in similar environments, especially closed and crowded, and aboard ships Legionella survives and multiplies easily in water pipes, spreading into the environment through air conditioning systems and water distribution points. Although in recent years in the construction of cruise ships preventive measures aimed at curbing the proliferation of Legionella (design, materials, focus on the operation and maintenance of the water system), have been taken account, little or no attention has been paid to small ships which, in many cases, are old and not well maintained. Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of Legionella contamination in ferries and cruise ships in order to adopt more specific control measures. Materials and method. A prevalence study was carried out on 10 ferries and 6 cruise ships docking or in transit across the port of Messina (Sicily, Italy). Water and air samples collected from many critical points were tested for qualitative and quantitative identification of Legionella. Results and conclusions. Legionella pneumophila sg 1 was isolated from the samples of shower and tap water in 7 (70%) of the 10 ferries examined, and in 3 (33%) of the 6 cruise ships examined, and L. pneumophila sg 2-14 in 8 (80%) and 1 (16.7%) of these ships, respectively. No Legionella contamination was found in whirlpool baths, air and ice samples. In conclusion, the data obtained confirm higher levels of Legionella contamination in local ferries and cruise ships, underlining the need to adopt corrective actions more specific for these smaller vessels.

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Coexistence of Legionella pneumophila Bacteria and Free-Living Amoebae in Lakes Serving as a Cooling System of a Power Plant

Cited by 23 publications

References 47 publications

From Evolutionary Advantage to Disease Agents: Forensic Reevaluation of Host-Microbe Interactions and Pathogenicity

From Evolutionary Advantage to Disease Agents: Forensic Reevaluation of Host-Microbe Interactions and Pathogenicity

Health Risks Associated with the Use of Water Mist Systems as a Cooling Intervention in Public Places in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia

<i>Legionella</i> risk assessment in cruise ships and ferries

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