Contamination of Hospital Water Supplies in Gilan, Iran, withLegionella pneumophila, Escherichia coli,andPseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

This study is designed to determine the contamination degree of hospital water supplies withPseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila, andE. coliin Gilan, Iran. Samples were collected directly into sterile containers and concentrated by centrifuge. Half part of any sample transferred to yeast extract broth and the second part transferred to Trypticase Soy Broth and incubated for 3 days. DNA was extracted by using commercial kit. Four rounds of PCR were performed as follows: multiplex PCR for detectingPseudomonas aeruginosa, Integron 1, and Metallo-β-lactamases gene; PCR for detectingLegionella pneumophilaandmipgene separately; PCR for detectingE. coli; and another PCR for detecting whole bacterial presence. Contamination rates of cold, warm, and incubator water samples withP. aeruginosa, were 16.6%, 37.5%, and 6.8% consequently. Degrees of contamination withL. pneumophilawere 3.3%, 9.3%, and 10.9% and withE. coliwere zero, 6.2%, and zero. Total bacterial contamination of cold, warm, and incubator water samples was 93.3%, 84.4%, and 89.0% consequently. Metallo-β-lactamases gene was found in 20.0% of all samples. Contamination degree withP. aeruginosawas considerable and withL. pneumophilawas moderate. Metallo-β-lactamases gene was found frequently indicating widespread multiple drug resistance bacteria. We suggest using new decontamination method based on nanotechnology.