MONITORING OF LEGIONELLA SPP. IN THE WATERWAYS OF MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Purpose: To monitor the presence of legionella bacteria in the water supply system of medical institutions in order to optimize the recommendations for the quality of water used for treatment. Materials and methods: Two cross-sectional epidemiological studies were performed to prove representatives of Legionella spp. in water samples from medical and dental equipment and water from the water supply network in medical institutions (MI) in Plovdiv. During the first period of time (March 2013 - March 2015), a total of 97 samples were taken and 24 samples during the second period (July-August 2019) in two consecutive visits. The following were examined: Faculty of Dental Medicine (FDM), Surgical Complex (SC) of the University Hospital "St. Georgi" and individual dental practices (IDP). Water samples were tested at NCIPD-Sofia. Results: In the period 2013-2015, the presence of legionella bacteria was found in 33 (34.02%) of the SC samples, in 1 out of 10 samples in IDP, and there were none detected in FDM. Non-compliances with requirements of hot water temperature, type of water used when working with devices generating a fine water aerosol have been found. Five years later, only 1 positive sample of SC was proved, in which the water supply network was rehabilitated in the interval between the two surveys. Conclusion: For the purposes of good medical and dental practice, it is necessary to conduct periodic monitoring of the "legional landscape" and the microbiological status of the water used for treatment.

Keywords

• dentistry
• legionellosis
• water supply
• antibodies