Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

First study in Qatar revealed high Legionella count in cooling towers

3^rd International Congress on Bacteriology and Infectious Diseases

August 04-06, 2015 Valencia, Spain

Houda YMoussa, Samah AHussien, Tameem AHadwan and Hassan A Azizand Gheyath KNasrallah

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

Transmission of Legionella from water into human is mediated by aerosols-generating devices including cooling towers (CTs)
and air conditioners. Despite the abundance of central cooling systems in Qatar, there is no published report examined the
presence of Legionella in these systems, thus, this study was conducted. Ten CTs (7 old and 3 new technology units) located in Qatar
University campus were monthly sampled. A total of 90 water samples were collected from these CTs and bacterial was recovered
by filtration and concentration. DNA was extracted from the concentrates and Legionella DNA copy number (CN) was assessed
by quantitative RT-PCR. According to Yanez et al. 2005, Legionella DNA CN was translated into CFU/mL by dividing CN/20.
Legionella species DNA was detected in 100% of the samples .The lowest and the highest count was 0.006 and 199.56 CFU/mL
respectively. The critical count of more than 10 CFU/mL that represents a potential hazard (according to CDC) was found in 55.3%
of the samples. High counts were mainly seen in May and June. Our results suggest that Legionella could be a potential health risk
to the population of Qatar and calls for an urgent need to set up a stringent monitoring program.