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.

Too much ado about data: continuous remote monitoring of water temperatures, circulation and throughput can assist in the reduction of hospital-associated waterborne infections

Whapham CA, Walker JT. Highlights: This literature review aims to identify parameters critical to water quality in healthcare buildings and to assess whether remote sensor monitoring can deliver safe water systems. Single ensuite-patient rooms, expansion of handwash basins, widespread glove use, alcohol gel and wipes have increased water system stagnancy resulting in amplification of waterborne… Read more »

Handwashing basins and healthcare associated infections: Bacterial diversity in biofilms on faucets and drains

Hayward C, Ross KE, Brown MH, Nisar  A, Hinds J, Jamieson T, Leterme SC, Whiley H. Highlights: Biofilms in hospital and residential handbasins differ and can cause healthcare infection outbreaks. Residential handbasin biofilms have a significantly higher prevalence of Legionella spp. Cleaning, usage, and design of basins influence biofilm communities and public health risk. Biofilms… Read more »

The Contribution of Legionella anisa to Legionella Contamination of Water in the Built Environment

Crook B, Young C, Rideout C and Smith D Highlights: All Legionella species are potentially pathogenic, but L. pneumophila is usually the primary focus of testing.  L. anisa also colonises water distribution systems, is frequently found with L. pneumophila, and could be a good indicator for increased risk of nosocomial infection. 565,750 water samples (July… Read more »

Utilizing big data to determine the temperature dependency of Legionella in hot water systems

Abstract Domestic hot water installations provide an ideal habitat for Legionella spp. and pose a potential risk of human infection. Heating the water is considered the major preventive measure against Legionella contamination. Our study aimed to understand better the relationships between hot water temperatures and Legionella spp. occurrence within such systems. We utilized routine monitoring… Read more »

Recurrence, microevolution, and spatiotemporal dynamics of Legionella pneumophila sequence type 1905, Portugal, 2014–2022

Manageiro V, Borges V, Rodrigues R, Bettencourt C, Silva C, Gomes JP, Gonçalves P. Highlights: The Vila Franca de Xira outbreak in Portugal is one of the largest reported of LD (>400 cases and 14 deaths) The outbreak was associated with ST 1905 of L. pneumophila subspecies fraseri serogroup 1 strain, which probably originated from… Read more »

Non-Culturable Legionella Identified With Sequencing

Weeber P, Singh N, Lapierre P, Mingle L, Wroblewski D, Nazarian EJ, Haas W, Weiss D, Musser KA. 0. A novel hybridization capture method for direct whole genome sequencing of clinical specimens to inform Legionnaires’ disease investigations. J Clin Microbiol 0:e01305-23. Highlights: Legionnaires’ disease is a rare and dangerous respiratory tract infection. Diagnosis and surveillance… Read more »

Impacts of lid closure during toilet flushing and of toilet bowl cleaning on viral contamination of surfaces in United States restrooms

Madison P. Goforth, Stephanie A. Boone, Justin Clark, Priscilla B. Valenzuela, Julie McKinney, M. Khalid Ijaz, Charles P. Gerba. AJIC 52, 2;141-146: 2024 Highlights Viral aerosols from toilet flushing pose a possible route of pathogen transmission. Toilet lid closure prior to flushing is believed to mitigate cross-contamination. Toilet lid closure prior to flushing does not… Read more »

Assessment of antibiotic-resistant infection risks associated with reclaimed wastewater irrigation in intensive tomato cultivation

Samira Nahim-Granados, Hunter Quon, María Inmaculada Polo López, Isabel Oller, Ana Agüera, Sunny Jiang. Water Research Available online 7 March 2024, 121437 Highlights E. coli risk through tomato consumption is within WHO recommendation Pseudomonas eye infection risk through soil contact is greater than that of E. coli The presence of residual antibiotics reduces the overall… Read more »

Validation of PVT VIABLE® for Detection of Legionella in Potable and Non-Potable Water: AOAC Performance Tested Method SM 082303

Wickenberg L, Gabrie K, McCarthy P, Cain M. J AOAC Int. 2024 Jan 4;107(1):120-128. doi: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsad112. PMID: 37740955. Highlights Phigenics Validation Test (PVT) VIABLE® (Viability Identification Assay by Legionella Enrichment) is a method to detect viable legionella bacteria in building water systems. PVT VIABLE was validated against ISO 11731:2017 Water Quality-Enumeration of Legionella reference method… Read more »

Prevention of Legionella infections from toilet flushing cisterns

Bechmann L, Bauer K, Zerban P, Esser T, Tersteegen A, Fuchs SA, Kaasch AJ, Wolleschak D, Schalk E, Fischer T, Mougiakakos D, Geginat G. J Hosp Infect. 2024 Jan 13:S0195-6701(24)00010-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.12.016. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38224856. Highlights This study reports an investigation following a fatal case of hospital-acquired legionellosis linked to contaminated water… Read more »

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