Simple Detection of Culturable Legionella pneumophila in Cooling Tower Water Samples using Legiolert

Abstract

We compared the results of Legionella pneumophila detection in cooling tower water samples using Legiolert and the conventional plate culture method. Both 1 mL and 10 mL volumes of cooling tower water samples were analyzed using Legiolert. The concordance rate of the Legiolert-1 mL test and the plate culture method was 86.7%. The Legiolert-10 mL test and the plate culture method showed 85.0% concordance. Legiolert would be effective for hygiene control in cooling towers because it can easily detect viable L. pneumophila in cooling tower water and produces results comparable to the conventional plate culture method.