Prevalence of Legionella pneumophila Antibodies in General Population and its Implication to DrinkingWater Colonization of Legionella in Southern Taiwan

• Main Authors: Hsiu-Hao Chang, 張秀好
• Other Authors: Yu-sen Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/42169175357965234596

碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 環境教育研究所 === 95 === Abstract Legionella pneumophila is ubiquitous in water distribution systems. Eighty-six percent (6/7) of hospital water systems in southern Taiwan were colonized with Legionella. It is rational to hypothesize that residential water systems, same water supply as hospitals, are also colonized with Legionella. However, there is no data on Legionella colonization in residential water systems and the potential risk of general public exposed to Legionella from water systems. The objective is to determine the prevalence of Legionella antibodies among study population and its relationship with the Legionella colonization in the water. Serum specimens were withdrawn from healthy blood donors with informed consent. L. pneumophila antibodies were measured using a commercially available IgG, IgA and IgM specific indirect fluorescence assay (IFA). Standardized procedures were followed for environmental culture for L. pneumophila in 3 counties. Total of 563 blood donors (M = 311, F = 252) participated. 28.4% (160/563) of people have serum antibody titer > 1:64. 11.2% (63/563) of people have serum antibody titer > 1:256. Among people have higher antibody titers > 1:256: (1) female (n=43) is significantly higher than male (n=20) (p < 0.05); (2) higher titer occurred in age group 41-50 for male (12.7%, 8/63)) and 21-30 for female (22.2%, 14/63); (3) 8 people have serum antibody titer equal to 1:1024 and apparently asymptomatic. Environmental cultures showed only 19.6% (10/51) of distal sites were positive for Legionella. The paired environmental culture for Legionella versus titer of residents analysis showed no correlation. People in southern Taiwan has higher Legionella serum antibody body (11.2% > 1:256; 22% > 1:128) than other studies. It is possible people in southern Taiwan are facing higher exposure rate to Legionella. Keywords: Legionella, serum antibody titer, study population