Thermal disinfection of hotels, hospitals, and athletic venues hot water distribution systems contaminated by Legionella species

Varvara Mouchtouri; Emmanuel Velonakis; Christos Hadjichristodoulou

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2007.01.002

Thermal disinfection of hotels, hospitals, and athletic venues hot water distribution systems contaminated by Legionella species

Am J Infect Control. 2007 Nov;35(9):623-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2007.01.002.

Authors

Varvara Mouchtouri¹, Emmanuel Velonakis, Christos Hadjichristodoulou

Affiliation

¹ Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.

PMID: 17980243
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2007.01.002

Abstract

Legionella spp. (> or = 500 cfu liter(-1)) were detected in 92 of 497 water distribution systems (WDS) examined. Thermal disinfection was applied at 33 WDS. After the first and second application of the disinfection procedure, 15 (45.4%) and 3 (9%) positive for remedial actions WDS were found, respectively. Legionella pneumophila was more resistant to thermal disinfection than Legionella non-pneumophila spp. (relative risk [RR]=5.4, 95% confidence intervals [CI]=1-35). WDS of hotels with oil heater were more easily disinfected than those with electrical or solar heater (RR=0.4 95% CI=0.2-0.8). Thermal disinfection seems not to be efficient enough to eliminate legionellae, unless repeatedly applied and in combination with extended heat flushing, and faucets chlorine disinfection.

Publication types

Evaluation Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Disinfection / methods*
Heating*
Hospitals
Humans
Legionella pneumophila*
Legionnaires' Disease / prevention & control*
Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital / methods
Sanitary Engineering / methods*
Water Microbiology
Water Purification / methods*