Application of TaqMan fluorescent probe-based quantitative real-time PCR assay for the environmental survey of Legionella spp. and Legionella pneumophila in drinking water reservoirs in Taiwan

Sci Total Environ. 2014 Aug 15:490:416-21. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.04.103. Epub 2014 May 24.

Abstract

In this study, TaqMan fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR was performed to quantify Legionella species in reservoirs. Water samples were collected from 19 main reservoirs in Taiwan, and 12 (63.2%) were found to contain Legionella spp. The identified species included uncultured Legionella spp., L. pneumophila, L. jordanis, and L. drancourtii. The concentrations of Legionella spp. and L. pneumophila in the water samples were in the range of 1.8×10(2)-2.6×10(3) and 1.6×10(2)-2.4×10(2) cells/L, respectively. The presence and absence of Legionella spp. in the reservoir differed significantly in pH values. These results highlight the importance that L. pneumophila, L. jordanis, and L. drancourtii are potential pathogens in the reservoirs. The presence of L. pneumophila in reservoirs may be a potential public health concern that must be further examined.

Keywords: Legionella pneumophila; Legionella spp.; PCR; Reservoir; TaqMan fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drinking Water / microbiology*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Legionella / classification
  • Legionella / growth & development*
  • Legionella / isolation & purification
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Taiwan
  • Water Microbiology*

Substances

  • Drinking Water
  • Fluorescent Dyes