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CDC ELITE Legionella Testing Labs

Legionella Overview                      

Legionnaires' disease (the most severe form of Legionellosis) is a form of pneumonia that is caused by inhalation or aspiration of bacteria that belong to the family Legionellaceae. This family includes 48 species and 70 serogroups. Legionellosis is most commonly linked to exposure to Legionella pneumophila, however, other species (i.e., L. micdadei, L. anisa ) can cause the disease as well. The name Legionella pneumophila was coined after the original outbreak of the disease at the American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976. L. pneumophila has many sub-groups called serotypes. L. pneumophila serotype 1 and 6 are commonly associated with Legionnaires disease.

Ecology

Legionella are commonly found in aquatic environments and some species have been found in soil. The organisms are found in a wide range of environmental conditions and are relatively resistant to low pH, dissolved oxygen levels, and routine chlorination techniques for drinking water. Temperatures above 104° F promote rapid multiplication of the organism. The organisms are consistently found in the biofilm that forms in aquatic environments, cooling towers and potable water systems.

Epidemiology

The risk factors for Legionellosis in decreasing order of importance are heavy smoking, chronic lung disease, the elderly, and the immunosuppressed. A recent study has documented 76 cases of pediatric Legionellosis in children under 1 year of age or children with underlying medical conditions such as malignancy or immunosuppression. Legionellosis is not contagious; there is no evidence that the disease can be transmitted from person to person. Exposure must be thru inhalation or aspiration of contaminated, aerosolized water. Once a person has Legionnaires' disease, getting it a second time is extremely rare.

Monitoring Guidelines

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends routine monitoring for Legionella in all bone marrow and organ transplant hospitals nationwide. Routine monitoring in healthcare facilities is recommended or required in several states such as NY, TX, MD, Los Angeles County and Allegheny County PA. Canada has guidelines for monitoring healthcare facilities. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends routine monitoring of building water supply systems.
 
Legionellaceae are ubiquitous in fresh water and estuarine environments. Most outbreaks of disease are due to Legionella found in contaminated water and biofilm found in potable water distribution systems, whirlpool spas, and cooling towers. Transmission occurs from contaminated water that becomes aerosolized and inhaled by a susceptible host. We have a variety of different test methods depending upon the information you need:
 

Pricing & Information

Northeast: 
Anthony DeRosa  
         Email: ADeRosa@EMSL.com             1-800-220-3675 ext. 2581
Gillian Egiazarov            Email: GEgiazarov@EMSL.com         1-800-220-3675 ext. 2574

Midwest:
Gillian Egiazarov            Email: GEgiazarov@EMSL.com          1-800-220-3675 ext. 2574
Jay Rucker                       Email: JRucker@EMSL.com                  1-888-958-8170 ext. 3422

South:

Natalie Murphy              Email: nmurphy@EMSL.com               856-303-3430
Jay Rucker                       Email: JRucker@EMSL.com                  1-888-958-8170 ext. 3422

West:
Callum McMillan            Email:
 CMcMillan@EMSL.com            1-866-798-1089 ext. 3440
Stefan Wiersgalla           Email: Swiersgalla@EMSL.com          1-866-798-1089 ext. 3430

Questions: 

Christopher Goulah, Ph.D.
Email: CGoulah@EMSL.com
Phone: (716) 989-5138

 http://emsl.com/Page.aspx?ID=579


Legionella Sampling Location Guide
CDC and ISO 11731 Legionella Methods Comparison


Visit our Dedicated Legionella Website - www.LegionellaTesting.com