Isolation of legionella species from water samples

ABSTRACT

39 water samples from various sources were investigated for the presence of legionella. Isolation was carried on BCYE agar rendered selective by the addition of Trimethoprin [2.5 ug/ml], Vancomycin [5 ug/ml] and Polymyxin [79 iu/ml]. Legionella was isolated in 5 cases [12.8%] with a higher frequency in water samples isolated from shower heads [28.57%] followed by water from air conditioning cooling towers [16.6%]. 2 Legionella strains carried a plasmid of 14.8 Kbp while the other 3 stains were plasmidless. Further epidemiological and serological studies will be needed to associate the presence of legionella with undiagnosed pneumonic like cases