IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i8p5526-d1123916.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Environmental Monitoring of Legionella in Hospitals in the Campania Region: A 5-Year Study

Author

Listed:
  • Annalisa Lombardi

    (Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini N° 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Tonia Borriello

    (Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini N° 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Elvira De Rosa

    (Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini N° 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Fabiana Di Duca

    (Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini N° 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Michele Sorrentino

    (Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini N° 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Ida Torre

    (Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini N° 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Paolo Montuori

    (Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini N° 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Ugo Trama

    (General Directorate of Health, Campania Region, Centro Direzionale C3, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Francesca Pennino

    (Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini N° 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

Legionella is a pathogen that colonizes soils, freshwater, and building water systems. People who are most affected are those with immunodeficiencies, so it is necessary to monitor its presence in hospitals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of Legionella in water samples collected from hospitals in the Campania region, Southern Italy. A total of 3365 water samples were collected from January 2018 to December 2022 twice a year in hospital wards from taps and showers, tank bottoms, and air-treatment units. Microbiological analysis was conducted in accordance with the UNI EN ISO 11731:2017, and the correlations between the presence of Legionella and water temperature and residual chlorine were investigated. In total, 708 samples (21.0%) tested positive. The most represented species was L. pneumophila 2–14 (70.9%). The serogroups isolated were 1 (27.7%), 6 (24.5%), 8 (23.3%), 3 (18.9%), 5 (3.1%), and 10 (1.1%). Non- pneumophila Legionella spp. represented 1.4% of the total. Regarding temperature, the majority of Legionella positive samples were found in the temperature range of 26.0–40.9 °C. An influence of residual chlorine on the presence of the bacterium was observed, confirming that chlorine disinfection is effective for controlling contamination. The positivity for serogroups other than serogroup 1 suggested the need to continue environmental monitoring of Legionella and to focus on the clinical diagnosis of other serogroups.

Suggested Citation

  • Annalisa Lombardi & Tonia Borriello & Elvira De Rosa & Fabiana Di Duca & Michele Sorrentino & Ida Torre & Paolo Montuori & Ugo Trama & Francesca Pennino, 2023. "Environmental Monitoring of Legionella in Hospitals in the Campania Region: A 5-Year Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:8:p:5526-:d:1123916
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/8/5526/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/8/5526/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maša Knežević & Dobrica Rončević & Darija Vukić Lušić & Mirna Mihelčić & Rok Kogoj & Darja Keše & Marin Glad & Arijana Cenov & Mateja Ožanič & Daniela Glažar Ivče & Marina Šantić, 2022. "Decreasing Pasteurization Treatment Efficiency against Amoeba-Grown Legionella pneumophila —Recognized Public Health Risk Factor," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Michele Totaro & Anna Laura Costa & Lorenzo Frendo & Sara Profeti & Beatrice Casini & Antonio Gallo & Gaetano Privitera & Angelo Baggiani, 2020. "Evaluation of Legionella spp. Colonization in Residential Buildings Having Solar Thermal System for Hot Water Production," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-8, September.
    3. Maria Teresa Montagna & Osvalda De Giglio & Maria Luisa Cristina & Christian Napoli & Claudia Pacifico & Antonella Agodi & Tatjana Baldovin & Beatrice Casini & Maria Anna Coniglio & Marcello Mario D’E, 2017. "Evaluation of Legionella Air Contamination in Healthcare Facilities by Different Sampling Methods: An Italian Multicenter Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Maria Anna Coniglio & Margherita Ferrante & Mohamed H. Yassin, 2018. "Preventing Healthcare-Associated Legionellosis: Results after 3 Years of Continuous Disinfection of Hot Water with Monochloramine and an Effective Water Safety Plan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-11, July.
    5. Pasqualina Laganà & Alessio Facciolà & Roberta Palermo & Santi Delia, 2019. "Environmental Surveillance of Legionellosis within an Italian University Hospital—Results of 15 Years of Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-10, March.
    6. Ileana Federigi & Osvalda De Giglio & Giusy Diella & Francesco Triggiano & Francesca Apollonio & Marilena D’Ambrosio & Lorenzo Cioni & Marco Verani & Maria Teresa Montagna & Annalaura Carducci, 2022. "Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Applied to Legionella Contamination on Long-Distance Public Transport," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Antonios Papadakis & Dimosthenis Chochlakis & Vassilios Sandalakis & Maria Keramarou & Yannis Tselentis & Anna Psaroulaki, 2018. "Legionella spp. Risk Assessment in Recreational and Garden Areas of Hotels," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, March.
    8. Michele Totaro & Paola Valentini & Anna Laura Costa & Lorenzo Frendo & Alessia Cappello & Beatrice Casini & Mario Miccoli & Gaetano Privitera & Angelo Baggiani, 2017. "Presence of Legionella spp. in Hot Water Networks of Different Italian Residential Buildings: A Three-Year Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-9, October.
    9. Molly M. Scanlon & James L. Gordon & William F. McCoy & Melissa F. Cain, 2020. "Water Management for Construction: Evidence for Risk Characterization in Community and Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-20, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Prospero Albertini & Pierangela Mainardi & Maria Bagattini & Annalisa Lombardi & Patrizia Riccio & Maria Ragosta & Francesca Pennino & Dario Bruzzese & Maria Triassi, 2023. "Risk Influence of Some Environmental and Behavioral Factors on Air Contamination in the Operating Room: An Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-12, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Maria A. Kyritsi & Varvara A. Mouchtouri & Antonis Katsioulis & Elina Kostara & Vasileios Nakoulas & Marina Hatzinikou & Christos Hadjichristodoulou, 2018. "Legionella Colonization of Hotel Water Systems in Touristic Places of Greece: Association with System Characteristics and Physicochemical Parameters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Emanuele Luigi Sciuto & Domenico Corso & Sebania Libertino & Jan Roelof van der Meer & Giuseppina Faro & Maria Anna Coniglio, 2021. "A Miniaturized Microbe-Silicon-Chip Based on Bioluminescent Engineered Escherichia coli for the Evaluation of Water Quality and Safety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-11, July.
    3. Søren A. Uldum & Lars G. Schjoldager & Sharmin Baig & Kelsie Cassell, 2022. "A Tale of Four Danish Cities: Legionella pneumophila Diversity in Domestic Hot Water and Spatial Variations in Disease Incidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Stefania Paduano & Isabella Marchesi & Maria Elisabetta Casali & Federica Valeriani & Giuseppina Frezza & Elena Vecchi & Luca Sircana & Vincenzo Romano Spica & Paola Borella & Annalisa Bargellini, 2020. "Characterisation of Microbial Community Associated with Different Disinfection Treatments in Hospital hot Water Networks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-17, March.
    5. Isabella Marchesi & Stefania Paduano & Giuseppina Frezza & Luca Sircana & Elena Vecchi & Pietro Zuccarello & Gea Oliveri Conti & Margherita Ferrante & Paola Borella & Annalisa Bargellini, 2020. "Safety and Effectiveness of Monochloramine Treatment for Disinfecting Hospital Water Networks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
    6. Osvalda De Giglio & Giusy Diella & Paolo Trerotoli & Michela Consonni & Roberta Palermo & Marina Tesauro & Pasqualina Laganà & Gabriella Serio & Maria Teresa Montagna, 2020. "Legionella Detection in Water Networks as per ISO 11731:2017: Can Different Filter Pore Sizes and Direct Placement on Culture Media Influence Laboratory Results?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-8, March.
    7. Francesco Triggiano & Giuseppina Caggiano & Marco Lopuzzo & Giusy Diella & Francesca Apollonio & Fabrizio Fasano & Maria Teresa Montagna, 2022. "No-Touch Automated Disinfection System Based on Hydrogen Peroxide and Ethyl Alcohol Aerosols for Use in Healthcare Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-6, April.
    8. Anna Maria Spagnolo & Marina Sartini & David Di Cave & Beatrice Casini & Benedetta Tuvo & Maria Luisa Cristina, 2019. "Evaluation of Microbiological and Free-Living Protozoa Contamination in Dental Unit Waterlines," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-11, July.
    9. Luisa Marras & Giacomo Bertolino & Adriana Sanna & Valentina Carraro & Valentina Coroneo, 2023. "Legionella spp. Monitoring in the Water Supply Systems of Accommodation Facilities in Sardinia, Italy: A Two-Year Retrospective Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-9, September.
    10. Michele Treglia & Margherita Pallocci & Giorgio Ricciardi Tenore & Paola Castellani & Fabrizio Pizzuti & Giovanna Bianco & Pierluigi Passalacqua & Lucilla De Luca & Claudia Zanovello & Daniela Mazzuca, 2022. "Legionella and Air Transport: A Study of Environmental Contamination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-10, June.
    11. Pasqualina Laganà & Alessio Facciolà & Roberta Palermo & Santi Delia, 2019. "Environmental Surveillance of Legionellosis within an Italian University Hospital—Results of 15 Years of Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-10, March.
    12. Prospero Albertini & Pierangela Mainardi & Maria Bagattini & Annalisa Lombardi & Patrizia Riccio & Maria Ragosta & Francesca Pennino & Dario Bruzzese & Maria Triassi, 2023. "Risk Influence of Some Environmental and Behavioral Factors on Air Contamination in the Operating Room: An Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-12, August.
    13. Michele Totaro & Anna Laura Costa & Lorenzo Frendo & Sara Profeti & Beatrice Casini & Antonio Gallo & Gaetano Privitera & Angelo Baggiani, 2020. "Evaluation of Legionella spp. Colonization in Residential Buildings Having Solar Thermal System for Hot Water Production," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-8, September.
    14. Maria Teresa Montagna & Osvalda De Giglio & Antonella Agodi & Cesira Pasquarella, 2017. "Response to Comments on Montagna et al. “Evaluation of Legionella Air Contamination in Healthcare Facilities by Different Sampling Methods: An Italian Multicenter Study” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public H," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-2, August.
    15. Luna Girolamini & Silvano Salaris & Jessica Lizzadro & Marta Mazzotta & Maria Rosaria Pascale & Tiziana Pellati & Sandra Cristino, 2020. "How Molecular Typing Can Support Legionella Environmental Surveillance in Hot Water Distribution Systems: A Hospital Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-17, November.
    16. Samuel Collins & Jimmy Walker, 2017. "Comment on Montagna, et al. Evaluation of Legionella air contamination in healthcare facilities by different sampling methods: An Italian multicenter study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 1," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-2, August.
    17. Marco Gola & Gaetano Settimo & Stefano Capolongo, 2019. "Chemical Pollution in Healing Spaces: The Decalogue of the Best Practices for Adequate Indoor Air Quality in Inpatient Rooms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-15, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:8:p:5526-:d:1123916. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.