LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILIA BACTERIA AND LEGIONELLOSIS (LEGIONISTS’ DISEASE)- disease and prevention
The Legionella pneuophilia bacterium is a bacterium found in our immediate environment that causes Legionellosis.
Legionella pneumophila bacterium – what is it and what disease does it cause?
The Legionella pneumophila bacterium is found worldwide and is widespread in the environment. Its primary reservoir is water and wet soil. The Legionella pneumophila bacterium has been with humans since time immemorial, but the use of amenities like hot tubs and air conditioning has led to a significant increase in illnesses caused by the bacterium. Legionella pneumophila causes diseases of the legionellosis group. We are specifically talking about Legionnaires’ disease, which, if inadequately diagnosed, can have a high mortality rate. In fear of the disease, it is not necessary to give up these equipment, appliances, just operate them properly.
Occurrence of Legionella bacteria
Its primary reservoir is water and wet soil. Legionella pneumophila bacterium is detected both in streams, ponds and plumbing systems of various institutions, such as hospitals, hotels, nursing homes. It is found in taps and shower strainers. The bacterium is also found in water storage tanks and air conditioning and humidification equipment.
Theoretically, Legionella pneumophila bacteria can be found in the system that supplies water to any building. This is especially true if the water system is aged and a biofilm is used. Its growth is favored by temperatures between 20 and 50°C, and they die at temperatures above 60°C.
How can you get infected with Legionella? Ways of infection with Legionella bacteria.
Legionella infection occurs by inhaling an aerosol that contains Legionella bacteria. The aerosol is generated from droplets that contain the bacteria, such as when you let water run from a faucet or shower or flush a toilet. Bubbles generated in a spa pool can also pose a threat. In addition, people who are in air-conditioned rooms and the equipment is not systematically disinfected are at risk of Legionella infection.
Legionella infection – symptoms of infection, how to detect it
Symptoms of legionellosis range in severity. They range from mild respiratory illness to life-threatening pneumonia. In these acute cases, the mortality rate is estimated at 5 to 30%. The symptoms of legionellosis are similar to other diseases that are caused by bacteria, making it difficult to make a proper diagnosis without more in-depth testing.
Legionnaires’ disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by the bacterium Legionella Pneumophila and other bacteria derived from this family. It is characterized by a severe course.
Legionnaires’ medical history
The story of Legionnaires’ disease begins in 1976 in Pennsylvania, where the first group illness was reported. A World War II veterans’ convention was being held at the time, which was dedicated to one of the American Legions. At the time, 186 people living in one of the hotels in Philadelphia were reported to have fallen ill. As many as 34 people died from acute pneumonia, including five hotel employees. Joseph MacDade conducted intensive research, and from it it became clear that the disease was caused by a new bacterium not yet described in the medical literature.
The bacterium that massively infected convention attendees was named Legionella Pneumophila, and the disease itself was referred to as “legionellosis” as part of a commemoration of the first identified victims of the bacterium.
Cases of legionellosis are reported worldwide. They also take place in Poland. Most often it leads to an outbreak. In Poland, it occurred in a provincial hospital in Jastrzębie Zdrój. The bacteria was in the hot water system. At the time, as many as three patients died from respiratory and circulatory failure.
What are the symptoms of legionellosis?
Legionellosis, which is a consequence of Legionella pneumophila infection, has two forms of infection: Pontiac fever and Legionnaires’ disease.
Pontiac fever refers to a mild course, and symptoms are characterized as flu-like. The incubation period ranges from a few hours to 3 days. The ill person struggles with fever, chills, difficulty breathing, and has a dry and persistent cough. He feels weakness and fatigue. He suffers from muscular-articular pains and headaches. In some cases, gastrointestinal symptoms are noticeable – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. The duration of the symptoms is about 2-5 days and they resolve spontaneously.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe pneumonia that occurs not infrequently with organ complications. The intubation period for this form of the disease ranges from 2 to 10 days, sometimes this period extends up to 3 weeks.
The first group of symptoms includes headaches and muscular-articular pain. Another symptom is a high temperature along with chills. In addition, symptoms from the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems are felt. Initially the cough is dry and persistent, and later turns into a wet cough. Expectoration of sputum occurs, and may be colored with blood. Shortness of breath and chest pain are often observed in patients.
Legionnaires’ disease is a huge burden on the body. It is not uncommon during its course to experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and watery diarrhea may also occur. Neurological symptoms have also been observed, including headaches and excessive sleepiness. Sometimes it develops into coma or disorders of consciousness of varying degrees.
In some cases, the disease progresses very quickly, resulting in acute respiratory failure and failure of other organs (e.g., kidneys, pancreas, heart).
On physical examination, the doctor finds an elevated body temperature, decreased blood pressure, and a slowed heart rate. In contrast, specific auscultatory changes occur at an advanced stage. Complications of Legionnaires’ disease include the development of a murmur over the heart or acute pain on abdominal examination.
Treatment of legionellosis
Pontiac fever subsides on its own and no medication is necessary. It is enough to provide the body with adequate conditions for recovery. In the treatment of legionellosis, antibiotics, which are used for standard pneumonia, should not be used. Macrolide antibiotics should be used in the treatment of legionellosis: erythromycin, clarithromycin or roxithromycin. Their implementation prevents the development of complications, and also reduces the level of mortality. In case of fever, it is necessary to administer drugs that lower the body temperature. Patients struggling with pneumonia should be properly hydrated, both orally and intravenously.
The average treatment period is about 2-3 weeks. The occurrence of complications can cause a significant increase in recovery time.
Bacteria in air conditioning – how to get rid of Legionella and other bacteria from air conditioning
According to official recommendations, it is necessary to regularly clean and disinfect cooling towers and pipes that connect the various components in the air conditioning system created. One of the most dangerous is the Legionella bacteria, which has the ability to cause enormous havoc in the body.
If bacteria have been detected in the air conditioner, then from that point on it becomes unfit for further use and it is necessary to carry out the removal of bacteria in one of the following ways:
- Physical method – ultrasound, UV radiation,
- By chemical method – appropriate germicides,
- Thermal method – raising the temperature in the air conditioner to 70°C.
A chemical method using NANOCLEAN AC8 is highly effective. It comes in the form of an active foam used to disinfect air conditioning. In addition, with this one agent you can simultaneously clean, refresh, de-fungalize, disinfect and protect the equipment. Hence, it can be used prophylactically as part of systematic air conditioning cleaning, and not just when the presence of any dangerous bacteria in the air conditioning is detected. The agent can be used to clean air conditioning both at home and in a car, as it meets all European standards.
Ways to prevent bacterial growth in air conditioning
Preventing bacterial growth in air conditioning should be multi-level. The first step is to ensure that the equipment is properly arranged. When buying, suggest ease of use and cleaning. At the same time, the materials used in the equipment should not promote the growth of bacteria. The equipment should have the right humidity of the air that flows through the exchanger. It is most beneficial to maintain the correct technical condition of the air conditioner, including systematic maintenance of the device, replacing damaged components and, above all, disinfecting the equipment with appropriate means that meet European standards.
Legionella pneuophilia bacteria or the popular “fungus in air conditioning”
The entry of the bacteria into the body is through the inhalation of water-air aerosol. Sources of Legionella infection can include hot water systems, use of swimming pools and, most importantly, air-conditioning systems and humidifiers, something with which we have tremendous physical contact almost daily. The bacterium colonizes in water supply systems. Unclean appliances are a cluster of bacteria that pose a danger to us. The ideal condition for this bacterium is a temperature between 20-50 C and biotic factors, such as the presence of other microorganisms.
Prevention is better than cure
To prevent the infection of this bacterium, we can perform various actions. The most important is the cleaning of air conditioning and disinfection of air conditioners or humidifiers with special biocidal preparations in the form of liquid or foam. It is important that the preparations are cleaning and disinfecting (in one process we clean and disinfect), preferably with a full spectrum of action, that is, remove not only bacteria, but also viruses, mycobacteria, spores, fungi, molds . As for Legionella pneumophila in air conditioning, the preparation must be tested according to EN 13623, a standard for evaluating the bactericidal effect on Legionella of chemical disinfectants intended for water systems.
Fungal air conditioning – how to deal with it?
NANOCLEAN AC8 product that not only cleans air conditioners or de-fumigates air conditioners and also disinfects air conditioners. NANOCLEAN AC8 will work deadly on all viruses, bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria or spores. This is very important because when we get into an air-conditioned car or use the air conditioner at home, we expose not only ourselves but the whole family to these microorganisms, which can cause many serious disease symptoms. A later phase of the disease can lead to pneumonia with a severe course. To prevent, you can also clean and disinfect air conditioning systems a minimum of about two to three times a year. Treatment of the disease is through antibiotic therapy, so don’t take any chances. Take care of your loved ones, properly maintain air conditioners or this type of equipment. It is important to use the best quality products to combat all microorganisms such as NANOCLEAN AC8.
