Keywords
water
standardized assay
culture
detection limit
acredited laboratory
sampling
bactericidal activity
How to Cite
Abstract
Assays for Legionella detection in water samples are one of the aspects included in the Spanish legislation on prevention of Legionnaires ́ disease. The frequency of these assays, laboratories that carry out them, and the required actions that derive from them, regarding colony counts, are included in the maintenance plans when Legionella prevention is carried out in water installations (Real Decree 865/2003). The comparison of our legislation with other legislations or recommendations adopted in other countries (United Kingdom, France, Australia, America) allows to know our degree of demand of some parameters. Bacteria culture is the gold standard method for Legionella detection in water samples, and and there are several normalized assays, such as ISO 11731/98 and 2004 or NF T 90-431/2003 (AFNOR). To help the interpretation of the results, Legionella assays should reflect the standard in which they are based and the limit of detection of the method, that should not be over 100 ufc/L. Moreover, laboratories that carry out these assays should be acredited by our national accreditation body (ENAC). In the last years, fast methods have been developed for Legionella detection based on the amplification of chromosomal DNA in water samples by PCR reactions. PCR assays should not be used alone, but it should be a complement of culture assays, when normative actions are implemented in water installations.
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