Research

A selection of links to recent research papers available online and may be free to access. 

The conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the WMSoc.

Sublethal THPS accelerates Pseudomonas-associated steel corrosion by stimulating biofilm development and microbial electron uptake

Shi, X., Zhang, Y., Zhang, R. et al. npj Mater Degrad 9, 75 (2025) Highlights: Biocides are widely used to mitigate microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in oil and gas fields. Improper biocide dosing may result in changes to the MIC. This study investigated corrosion behaviour of biofilm-forming Pseudomonas stutzerion X70 pipeline steel under sublethal concentrations of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate… Read more »

Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates can encode plastic-degrading enzymes that allow survival on plastic and augment biofilm formation

Howard S, de Dios R, Maslova E, Myridakis A, Miller T, McCarthy R. Cell Reports 115650, 2025 Highlights: A clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA-W23) can degrade a medically relevant plastic (polycaprolactone), by 78% in 7days. Encodes a novel polyesterase Pap1, which is responsible for plastic-degrading activity. aeruginosa (PA-W23) can use plastic as a carbon… Read more »

Reversing and controlling microbial proliferation in the water system of a high-risk hospital ward after extended closure and reconstruction

Chaput D, Clarkson K, Bagrade L, Marek A, Kelly D, Watson D, Steele T, Leanord A. Water Research, 282, 2025, 123748, ISSN 0043-1354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.123748. Highlights: Following a 3- year closure of a paediatric haemato-oncology ward, water testing showed high total viable counts (TVCs) in over 20 % of samples and elevated counts of numerous Gram-negative… Read more »

Legionella in Hot Water Heat Pump (HWHP) Systems

Brookes, J., Senior, H., Gosling, R. J., Smith, D., & Wade, M. Microorganisms, 13(5), 1134. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051134 Highlights: There are concerns that HWHP systems are susceptible to microbial contamination because they hold water at lower temperatures and in particular regarding Legionella This review was approached systematically with 40 papers considered relevant to the topic of Legionella in HWHP, which underwent… Read more »

Sprinkler irrigation of urban sport fields as a potential source of Legionella

Bosch G, Queralt A, Valero N, Lleó T, Portolés C, Vargas-Leguas H, Parra E, Gonzalez R, Rius C, Gómez-Gutiérrez A. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2025 Jan 28:1-5. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2025.2451903. Epub ahead of print. Highlights: Following a Legionnaire’s disease outbreak in Barcelona in 2022, sport fields’ sprinklers were identified as potential sources of Legionella infection. 40… Read more »

Silver nanoparticle-induced antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella spp. Isolates from an urban lake

Lucky O, Kusi J. Environmental Pollution, Volume 368, 2025, Highlights: • Silver nano-particles inhibited bacterial population growth. • Silver nano-particles induced antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa and Salmonella spp. • Salmonella spp. was more sensitive to silver nano-particles • All silver nano-particle-induced Salmonella spp. isolates were resistant to ampicillin. • Silver nano-particle-induced P. aeruginosa isolates… Read more »

Two Outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease Associated with Outdoor Hot Tubs for Private Use – Two Cruise Ships, November 2022 – July 2024

Lee S, Edens C, Ritter T, Rodriguez LO, Tardivel K, Kozak-Muiznieks NA, Willby M, Ortiz N, Cohen AL, Smith JC. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2024 Oct 24;73(42):950-954. Highlights: • During November 2022-June 2024, CDC was notified of 12 cases of Legionnaires’ disease among travellers on two cruise ships. • Epidemiologic data identified private hot… Read more »

Dynamics of drinking water biofilm formation associated with Legionella spp. colonization

Margot C, Rhoads W, Gabrielli M, Olive M, Hammes F. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2024 Oct 6;10(1):101 Highlights: This study looks at biofilm formation and Legionella spp. colonisation on new plumbing material over an 8-week period. L. pneumophila was the dominant Legionella spp. with culturable cell concentrations peaking at 3.1 × 104 MPN/cm2 after 4 weeks. Several Legionella… Read more »

The Adequacy of Current Legionnaires’ Disease Diagnostic Practices in Capturing the Epidemiology of Clinically Relevant Legionella: A Scoping Review

Ha R, Heilmann A, Lother SA, Turenne C, Alexander D, Keynan Y, Rueda ZV. Pathogens. 2024 Oct 1;13(10):857 Highlights: • Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (LpSG1) is thought to be the most common pathogenic subgroup, based the use of a urinary antigen test (UAT), which only detects LpSG1. • A scoping review was undertaken to answer… Read more »

Legionnaires’ disease in Scotland Surveillance report 2023

Public Health Scotland Highlights: Case numbers and incidence increased in 2023 with 54 cases, an incidence of 9.9 per million population. This continues an increasing trend in Legionnaires’ disease since 2021. The latest report from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) describes increasing trends across European Union/European Economic Area countries to 2021 This… Read more »

Product & Service Spotlight

Effective water management requires data, not assumptions.

INFORM provides total visibility and real-time alerts to stay ahead of risks. Replace guesswork with audit-ready evidence for effortless compliance. Our smart, configurable alarms act as a proactive safety net, while trend analysis identifies your highest-performing areas. Prioritise maintenance and maximise resource efficiency through one intuitive dashboard. INFORM delivers the clarity needed to maintain rigorous safety and operational standards across your entire water system.

How the SolidTek® Biocide Feeder Package will BENEFIT YOU

SolidTek's® Biocide Feeder Package offers users a functional, safe, compact and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional brominators.

Designed for use with SolidTek’s® enhanced bromine biocide, BromTek, it offers multiple benefits:

SAFER
Reduced exposure to fumes and bromine dust (non-pressurised system).

EFFECTIVE
Use with field proven mixed hydantoin biocide - better performance than standard bromine tablets.

COMPACT
Wall mounted reducing footprint of installation.

QUICK & EASY
Charge with product in under 5 minutes without isolation from the system.
SUPPORT

Product calculators and tech support available.

LIA International

Providing water testing equipment and reagents for water treatment and hygiene professionals.

Tailored Service - Fast Delivery - Technical Support

Contact us to find out more.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)1488 686777
Web: www.liainternational.co.uk

Managing Risk at the Water System Interface

Using system hot water (❯60 °C), Horne’s patented ILTDU delivers targeted thermal disinfection at the water system periphery, where potable water meets a non-sterile (ward) environment. Combined with elevated velocity flushing, which mechanically shears and removes excess bulk biofilm, it addresses both established pipework biofilm, and contamination driven by retrograde ingress. This approach avoids selective pressures associated with chemical dosing, supporting control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, NTM and other waterborne organisms while protecting system integrity, water quality and lowering environmental impact.

Result of using Erythorbate

To scavenge or to passivate has long been the question when controlling oxygen-induced corrosion in feed lines and steam raining equipment.
Here’s a short introduction to a product that allows you to do both: Sodium Erythorbate. It’s an oxygen scavenger and passivator utilising residual dissolved oxygen in the metal passivation reactions. Erythorbate and its degradation products continue to remove oxygen with an eventual residual of water and carbon dioxide hence not adding to the boiler water solids reducing Blowdown.

PIB Insurance Brokers

As a business in the Legionella Control Industry, are you confident that your insurance gives you the protection that you need? Have you ever been charged a higher premium on the pretext that the correct insurance cover should cost you more?

If these concerns sound familiar, your business may not be benefitting from the best value, security and advice. This is why PIB has developed an exclusive package which, combines all the benefits that you require for your business protection.

FILT’RAY Compact Range

AQUATOOLS has launched a range of filters for hospitals. FILT'RAY Compact filters provide a physical barrier to reduce the risk of infection from waterborne microorganisms. Tubular membrane microfiltration with a high filtration capacity delivers bacteriologically controlled water, securing the point-of-use for up to 4 months. They are compact to save space, ideal for taps with a low drop height. Retro-contamination is carefully controlled thanks to a protective skirt and a tilted connector which allows the filter position to be optimised.

TME Thermometers

Take your ACoPL8 testing to the next level with TME. Faster, smarter, stronger than the rest.

CLEGK2 – An unbeatable legionella kit with everything you need: a robust thermometer with inbuilt timer, fast-response dual surface/immersion probe, and a handy carry pouch.

New thermometers and thermometer kits include a FREE UKAS traceable calibration certificate.

TCWAllPort – A unique low-cost solution for concealed TMVs: a compact thermocouple socket for remote access temperature monitoring.

MM7000-2D – the smart way to go paperless. Our relaunched Bluetooth Barcode Thermometer is now more affordable than ever before.

Visit our website for our best deals and new offers or contact our friendly sales team direct.

www.tmethermometers.com

[email protected]

01903 700651

Introducing the MD150: Precision & Speed for Industrial Water Testing

Key Features:

• Reliable & Accurate – Delivers precise, consistent measurements.

• User-Friendly Design – Intuitive interface with simple operation.

• Pre-Programmed Test Methods – Covers key industrial water parameters.

• Waterproof & Durable – Built for tough industrial environments.

• High-Quality Optics – Ensures superior measurement accuracy.

• Versatile Applications – Ideal for cooling towers, boilers, and wastewater monitoring.

• Rapid Measurement – Results within seconds without compromising accuracy.

Perfect for professionals needing a dependable, high-performance photometer for industrial water analysis.

www.dtkwater.com
01604 686995