S Ditommaso1, M Giacomuzzi, M Gentile, C M Zotti. 1. Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e di Microbiologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Santena, Torino, Italy. savina.ditommaso@unito.it
Abstract
AIMS: To compare the efficiency of the ScanVIT-Legionella test (Vermicon, Munich, Germany) vs a conventional culture method for the quantification of Legionella spp. in hospital water samples in daily hospital practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: The detection of Legionella spp. takes place on a cultivated filter brought into contact with dye-marked gene probes. The results are analysed under fluorescence microscopy. Bacteria that light up green belong to the genus Legionella; those that light up both green and red belong to the species Legionella pneumophila. Our results showed that the ScanVIT test has a sensitivity of 90%; agreement between the two methods was 82%. In the 48 samples that tested positive with both methods, the Legionella concentration detected by the culture method was consistently higher. A statistically significant difference between the results obtained with the two test methods emerged at the Wilcoxon test (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The ScanVIT test may be recommended for investigating the presence of Legionella by qualitative testing. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Given the simplicity of colony identification by fluorescence, the ScanVIT test can be used in laboratories where staffs are not experienced in identifying typical colonies of Legionella.
AIMS: To compare the efficiency of the ScanVIT-Legionella test (Vermicon, Munich, Germany) vs a conventional culture method for the quantification of Legionella spp. in hospital water samples in daily hospital practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: The detection of Legionella spp. takes place on a cultivated filter brought into contact with dye-marked gene probes. The results are analysed under fluorescence microscopy. Bacteria that light up green belong to the genus Legionella; those that light up both green and red belong to the species Legionella pneumophila. Our results showed that the ScanVIT test has a sensitivity of 90%; agreement between the two methods was 82%. In the 48 samples that tested positive with both methods, the Legionella concentration detected by the culture method was consistently higher. A statistically significant difference between the results obtained with the two test methods emerged at the Wilcoxon test (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The ScanVIT test may be recommended for investigating the presence of Legionella by qualitative testing. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Given the simplicity of colony identification by fluorescence, the ScanVIT test can be used in laboratories where staffs are not experienced in identifying typical colonies of Legionella.
Authors: N Parthuisot; M Binet; A Touron-Bodilis; C Pougnard; P Lebaron; J Baudart Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2011-07-08 Impact factor: 4.792