Legionella Contamination and Molecular Identification in Water Systems of the Public Facilities in Korea

Abstract

With the increase in population visiting hot water systems such as spas and water parks, the opportunity to be exposed to the risk of legionellae's infection is rising in Chungnam, Korea. So, we investigated Legionella contamination and its population on environmental sources for assessing the relationships in the types of facilities and water sources. PCR and culture method were used to detect and isolate Legionella spp. Partial 16s rRNA and rpoB gene sequences were used to identify the isolates and determine subspecies of Legionella pneumophila isolates. The detection rate (29%) of Legionella spp. from public bathes was the highest and L. pneumophila was the dominant species in Chungnam, Korea. L. pneumophila isolates used in this study were divided into subsp. pneumophila and subsp. fraseri. All of Legionella species isolated in this study except for L. nautarum were pathogenic to human. L. pneumophila isolates used in this study were divided into subsp. pneumophila and subsp. fraseri. Results of identification between rpoB and 16s rRNA trees were nearly consistent, except for some isolates. Our findings will be helpful to create a better understanding of the molecular basis of Legionella and further preventing and controlling outbreaks by legionellosis.