Surveillance of Legionella spp. in Water Supply of Hotels and Resorts in The North-Eastern of Thailand - การเฝ้าระวังการแพร่กระจายเชื้อ Legionella spp. ในแหล่งน้ำที่ใช้ในโรงแรมหรือรีสอร์ท ในภาคตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือของประเทศไทย

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the outcomes of the surveillance program for
Legionella spp. in water supply systems in hotels and resorts in the North-Eastern of Thailand in order
to assess contamination of water supply as a preparedness for the ASEAN Economic Community. It was
conducted from May 2012 to September 2013, beginning with the identification of hotels and resorts
from Tourism Authority of Thailand website; and seeking permission from collaborating sites to collect
water samples. The samples were then transported to the Regional Medical Science Center 7 for the
detection of Legionella spp. using culture method. For the positive samples, species typing was performed
using PCR technic. There were 200 samples collected from 75 hotels and resorts; and Legionella
spp. was detected in 48 samples from 24 hotels and resorts (32.0%); and the PCR revealed the type of
the organism was solely L. pneumophila. Level of Legionella spp. was less than 105 cfu/L in 22
hotels/resorts. (29.3 %) and between 105 cfu/L and 106 cfu/L in the other two sites. All hotels and
resorts with positive samples were notified with the results; and biosafety measures for the water supply
system maintenance were operated based on the guideline from Department of Health. Thus, the Legionella
surveillance program is a useful process to ensure that the water supply in hotels and resorts is safe for
their customers, visitors and staff.
Key words: Legionellosis, surveillance program, culture method, PCR technique