Detection of Legionella, L. pneumophila and Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) along Potable Water Distribution Pipelines

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Harriet Whiley¹  Alexandra Keegan²  Howard Fallowfield¹ 

[1] Health and the Environment, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia; E-Mails:;South Australian Water Corporation, 250 Victoria square, Adelaide 5000, Australia; E-Mail:

关键词: Legionella;    L. pneumophila;    Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC);    Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM);    potable water;    distribution systems;    public health;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph110707393

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Inhalation of potable water presents a potential route of exposure to opportunistic pathogens and hence warrants significant public health concern. This study used qPCR to detect opportunistic pathogens Legionella spp., L. pneumophila and MAC at multiple points along two potable water distribution pipelines. One used chlorine disinfection and the other chloramine disinfection. Samples were collected four times over the year to provide seasonal variation and the chlorine or chloramine residual was measured during collection. Legionella spp., L. pneumophila and MAC were detected in both distribution systems throughout the year and were all detected at a maximum concentration of 10³ copies/mL in the chlorine disinfected system and 10⁶, 10³ and 10⁴ copies/mL respectively in the chloramine disinfected system. The concentrations of these opportunistic pathogens were primarily controlled throughout the distribution network through the maintenance of disinfection residuals. At a dead-end and when the disinfection residual was not maintained significant (p < 0.05) increases in concentration were observed when compared to the concentration measured closest to the processing plant in the same pipeline and sampling period. Total coliforms were not present in any water sample collected. This study demonstrates the ability of Legionella spp., L. pneumophila and MAC to survive the potable water disinfection process and highlights the need for greater measures to control these organisms along the distribution pipeline and at point of use.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.