Alshae Logan-Jackson and Joan B. Rose
Highlights
- Pathogenic Legionella species grow optimally inside free-living amoebae to concentrations that increase risks to those who are exposed.
- The study screened a complete drinking water system and cooling towers for the occurrence of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria fowleriand their cooccurrence with Legionella pneumophila, L. anisa, L. micdadei, L. bozemanii, and L. longbeachae.
- fowleri was detected more often in drinking water systems and cooling towers.
- fowleri significantly cooccurred with L. pneumophila, L. micdadei, and L. bozemanii.
- micdadei and L. bozemanii were more often related to N. fowleri than Acanthamoeba species.
- Large volume (10 L), water ultrafiltrate concentrates from the groundwater source to exposure sites (taps and cooling towers) allowed detection of Legionella and fowleri.
- The widespread presence of fowleri and Legionella species in taps and cooling towers indicates an important health concern.
- Investigating Legionella’s ecology in drinking and industrial waters will hopefully lead to better control of these pathogenic species in drinking water supply systems and cooling tower.