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The Role of Biofilms in Drinking Water Exposure to Potentially Pathogenic Legionella spp.
Citation:
LAU, H. Y. The Role of Biofilms in Drinking Water Exposure to Potentially Pathogenic Legionella spp. Presented at 2008 EPA Science Forum, Washington, DC, May 20 - 22, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
Discussion on role of biofilms in Legionella spp. exposure
Description:
Legionellosis is a bacterial infection caused by species of the genera Legionella and is the most common waterborne disease reported in the United States. This type of infection has two clinically distinct forms: Legionnaire's disease, a severe type of infection, which includes pneumonia, and Pontiac fever, a milder self-limiting illness. Legionella spp. are unbiquitous in nature with water being the major reservoir for these organisms. Exposure to Legionella spp. occurs via the inhalation of contaminated aerosols from devices such as cooling towers, showers and faucets. In these artificial water systems, Legionella spp. growth is detected almost exclusively in nutrient-rich biofilms covering the inerior of pipe walls, in-premises plumbing fixtures and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. The types of disinfectant residuals in drinking water systems have been shown to directly influence both the composition of biofim communities and on biofilm development. Thus drinking water systems not only serve as a reservoir for potential pathogens entering the system, their interactions and development ini biofilm communities has the potential to select for stains that are more fit to thrive in this type of environment. Therefore, understanding how Legionella spp. propagates and persists in man-made water systems, and the role biofilms play in that process, is critical to the development of strategies that can more effectively control their occurrence in drinking water.