Legionella prevention   [Download this application case as PDF file]

Even when it has not been created by pathogenic bacteria, biofilm is the ideal environment for the survival and growth of pathogens, including Legionella pneumophila. It is well known that such bacteria do not usually form biofilms by themselves, but they are commonly found in biofilms made by other bacteria. This kind of environment greatly increases Legionella possibility of survival and growth. Thus, the best way to prevent Legionella outbreaks is limiting biofilm development.

This Hospital measured, by means of water sampling and laboratory analyses, high levels of Legionella pneumophila (up to 2500 CFU per litre) inside its water lines. The possible threat was made even worse by the fact that also the Maternity Ward of the Hospital was interested by such problem.

 

Bacteria detection by means of lab analyses (HPC plate count)


Therefore, the staff in charge of water lines sanitation decided to apply a new biocide treatment (24/7, low dosage), and to install an ALVIM sensor in the Maternity Ward pipeline. The new treatment helped to drastically reduce Legionella presence in the water system, but the ALVIM sensor showed that biofilm was still alive and growing, possibly representing a shelter for Legionella survival. The laboratory analysis (heterotrophic plate count), carried out on swabs taken from the ALVIM surface and the surrounding pipeline, confirmed the presence of bacterial biofilm.

 

Biofilm detection and Legionella prevention

Thanks to the ALVIM technology, it was possible to see that the improved results provided by the new sanitation treatment could be considered only a first step towards the complete eradication of Legionella risk inside the Hospital’s water system. Indeed, only keeping biofilm growth under control it is possible to maintain the risk of Legionella outbreaks as low as possible.

 

 

Do you have a similar problem with biofilm?
Contact our experts and ask for a free custom-tailored consultancy

 

We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.