Text Box: Legionella Incidence Rates The percentage isolation rates for water samples positive for Legionella during 2002 to 2005 are shown in the graph below. The average isolation rate for the previous 12 months was 9.6% (compared to 11.2% for 2003/2004). Of the positive samples, 7.6% had a Legionella count in excess of 1,000 CFU/mL, 56.9% had a count in the range 100 to less than 1,000 CFU/mL and 35.5% had a count below 100 CFU/mL. 94.6% of isolates were Legionella pneumophila. Text Box: Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter BioTalk for the water testing and air-conditioning industry. This newsletter is produced up to four times a year with special editions for topical or current issues. There are regular items and general information on microbiological issues. Your feedback and suggestions are most welcome. Copies of this newsletter and previous issues are available from our web site. BioTalkBiotech LaboratoriesNEWSLETTERWater/Airconditioning IndustryText Box:  Biological Testing  Reg No. 2787

Text Box: Cert No. 7176 – 10

Text Box: Editor: Glen Pinna

Text Box: Recent Legionella Outbreaks (Source: http://members.dodo.net.au/~jamgreen/legionnaires_disease_2005.htm )   Alcoi, Spain. July 2005. In apparently two separate outbreaks a total of 6 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The equipment confirmed as the source is a humidifier, used for the treatment of cloth. New Rochelle, USA. June 2005. Twelve out patients of the Sound Shore Medical Center contracted Legionnaires' disease in the past month, possibly from contaminated water in a hospital cooling tower. County health officials said that the cooling tower, which provides central air-conditioning to the hospital, is enclosed by a large fence about 50 feet from the ambulatory care unit's entrance on Washington Avenue. The tower emits a fine mist, and the victims most likely inhaled the vapour while entering or leaving the outpatient unit or otherwise passing by the tower.   Oslo, Norway. May 2005. Fifty-five cases and ten deaths have occurred from Legionnaires’ Disease. During the investigation, several samples from possible sources in cooling towers and other water treatment installations in the area of Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad were taken. Following DNA analysis of bacteria isolated from patients and environmental sources, the outbreak most probably came from an air scrubber facility in the spray dryer at Borregaard Industries Ltd.   Legionellosis in Australia 2004 (Source: http://www9.health.gov.au/cda/source/cda-index.cfm)   Following are the figures of legionellosis cases to 18 July 2005 in Australia. The number of cases per State or Territory were: Victoria 30, Western Australia 25, South Australia 26, New South Wales 43, Queensland 23, Northern Territory 3, Australian Capital Territory 0 and Tasmania 2 cases. Text Box: 28

Text Box: August 2005   Issue No.

Text Box: There is an internet newsgroup for Legionella established at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/legionnaires_disease/   I would request that all experts in water treatment and concerned people go to this site, join the group and visit it to ask and answer questions posted by others. Text Box: The above graph shows the monthly Legionella isolation rates from water samples for the last four years. Further data can be obtained from our web site or contacting the Editor. Text Box: Pathogenic micro-organisms associated with water - Part 6 Text Box: Biotech Laboratories Pty Ltd Level 2, Administration Building, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Newdegate Street, Greenslopes Qld  4120 PO  Box 505  Indooroopilly  Qld  4068    Ph: (07) 3847 9488     Facsimile: (07) 3847 9890 E-mail:  manager@biotechlab.com.au     Web site: http://www.biotechlab.com.au/ Text Box: A variety of micro-organisms that can cause illness have been found in water. These can be introduced into the body by drinking and inhalation, or by exposure to skin or mucous membrane. They include bacteria, protozoa, algae and viruses. This discussion will cover the description, significance, water treatment required for elimination and health significance where applicable.   Shigella Shigella species should not be detected in drinking water.   These bacteria are not widely distributed in the environment and are only deposited into waterways via improperly treated human waste discharges. The symptoms of shigella gastroenteritis include: diarrhoea (which may contain traces of pus, mucus or blood), fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and dizziness when standing up. Occasionally a carrier state may develop which can last for several months.   Shigella species have no natural hosts other than the higher primates, and effectively, humans are the only source of infection in the community. Although shigella infection is not often water-borne, there have been major outbreaks from water-borne transmission. However, there is no conclusive evidence for the transmission of shigellosis through water supplies in Australia. Most cases arise from person-to-person transmission. Outbreaks can occur in institutional settings, particularly where children are still in nappies (such as child-care centres) or adults are incontinent (such as nursing homes).   Shigella has been rarely found in Australian drinking waters and indicates the presence of recent human faecal matter contamination. However, it should be noted that there are no efficient laboratory methods for enrichment of a sample to increase the sensitivity of the isolation of this bacteria from water. And therefore, the isolation rate of Shigella species may be underestimated.   The infective dose required to cause infection is low (10 to 100 organisms) as they are highly pathogenic for humans. The bacteria invade the epithelial cells of the colon and depending on the species release cytotoxins. The incubation period from ingestion is 7 hours to 7 days, although 1 to 3 days is usually the case. The infection tends to be more severe in young children and the elderly.   Treatment of domestic water with chlorine is usually effective against Shigella provided the water turbidity is low. It is recommended that if water from a river, creek, dam, spring or bore must be used, then boiling the water for 5 minutes is recommended.   Specific testing for Shigella in drinking water is not routinely required. The presence of Escherichia coli and to a lesser extent, faecal coliforms, is regarded as a useful tool in determining the possible presence of Shigella in a water supply.   The next BioTalk will deal with Vibrio species.   Source: Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - 6: 1996. National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia & Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand.  Foodborne Microorganisms of Public Health Significance. 5th Edition. 1997. AIFST (NSW Branch Food Microbiology Group. And US. FDA Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook.