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© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Janet E. Stout, PhD
President & Director
LEGIONNAIRES’
DISEASE
A Preventable Disease
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
My Affiliations
• President & Director
Special Pathogens Laboratory, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• SPL is “More Than a Lab”
• Research Associate Professor, University of
Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering
Department of Civil & Environmental
Engineering
• Research on Legionella control strategies
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Today’s Topics
• Understanding Legionella In The Built
Environment
• Role of Legionella Testing In Disease
Prevention
• NY Regs & ASHRAE Standard 188
• Approaches To Prevention
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Celebrating More Than 40
Years of Making Headlines
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Things That Happened in
1976 in Philadelphia
40 years is a long time!
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
American Legion Convention
at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
1976 Philadelphia
• 58th convention of the
American Legion held
July 21-24
• Mysterious illness
effects 221 and kills 34
• Causative agent of
pneumonia would not
be identified until 1977
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
1980: Research Begins in Pittsburgh
• More than 30
years studying
Legionnaires’
disease
 I’m a
Legionellologist
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Research Pioneers Starting in 1982
• Over 100 nosocomial
cases identified in 5
years in one hospital
• An epidemic redefined -
endemic disease
• The source was the
hospital water system –
not a cooling tower!
Janet E. Stout and Victor L. Yu
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
• NOT a common
source for
sporadic and
hospital-acquired
cases
• More commonly
associated
with large
community
outbreaks
Paradigm Shift: Not Cooling Towers
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
What We Know Now
Potable water especially in hospitals
(and other buildings)
with complex hot water systems,
is the most important source of
Legionella transmission.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL
MICROBE
Legionella
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Measures of Success
• Numbers up?
• In the news?
• Famous people talking about you?
• Getting too famous – industry and
government agencies after you?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Successful Microbe: Disease
Incidence Increasing?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Consider This…
• Legionellosis cases have increased
substantially – over 200% in last 10 years
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Who’s At Risk
• Elderly
• Smokers
• Immunocompromised
 Transplant patients
 High-dose steroids for lung disease
 Diabetes
 Cancer
• Approx. 25% cases no known risk factors
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention Statistics
• 77% >50 years
• 62% male
• Hospitalizations occurred in 98%
 ICU admission in 39%
 Death in 10%–30%
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionnaires’ Disease in Hospitals
• 35% of reported cases met the case
definition for hospital-acquired infection
(range 45%–25%)
• Case fatality rate was 28%
(range 46%–14%)
From Benin A.L., Benson R.F., Besser R.E. Clin Infect Dis 2002; 35:1039-46. Data
reported to the CDC from 1980-1998.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Cases Linked to Water Systems
• Warm water
distribution in:
 Hospitals
 Nursing homes
 Rehabilitation
centers
 Office buildings
 Apartment
buildings
 Hotels
• Other water
systems:
 Spas and hot tubs
 Decorative
fountains
 Humidifiers
 Cooling towers
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
HEALTHCARE-ACQUIRED
CASES
Epidemiology and
Infection Prevention
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Many Cases Still Missed
• Diagnostic tests for Legionella not
routine – often not done
• Many studies have demonstrated
under reporting/missed diagnosis
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Under Reporting
Due to Missed Diagnosis
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Results for 37 Cases
41% of Legionella cases were missed
following current IDSA-ATS
recommendations for Legionella
testing
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Urinary Antigen:
the Primary Diagnostic Method
• Urine antigen primary method of diagnosis
in 97% of cases
• Culture of Legionella from respiratory
secretions (sputum) in only 5% of cases
• Early diagnosis and treatment = better
outcome
MMWR 2011 Vol 60 (32)
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Dangers of Dependency on Urine
Antigen Testing for Diagnosis
• Urine antigen specific for
L. pneumophila, serogroup 1 only
• If used to screen for healthcare-
acquired LD, you’d better know
what’s in your water!
 If Lp-6 in the water, diagnosis will be
missed
MMWR 2011 Vol 60 (32)
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Transmission by CPAP?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
PREVENTING
LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE
Is It Worth The Effort?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionnaires’ Disease
• In the U.S. approximately 600,000
adults are diagnosed with
community-acquired pneumonia
requiring hospitalization
• 2-5% are caused by Legionella, as
many as 30,000 cases/year
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Annual Healthcare Costs From
Legionnaires’ Disease
• Total hospitalization costs
$101 - $321 million dollars
per year
• Assumption 10 day stay and
$34,000 per patient
COLLIER S.A., L. J. STOCKMAN, L.A. HICKS, L. E. GARRISON, F. J. ZHOU AND M. J. BEACH.
Epidemiol. Infect. (2012), 140, 2003–2013.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionellosis in the U.S.
Outbreaks
continue to occur
(building warm
water systems,
cooling towers,
fountains)
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Outbreaks 2000 to 2014
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Hospitals at Significant
Risk According to Recent
CDC Report
Legionella in hospitals –
accounted for 57% of all
cases and 85% of deaths
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Measures of Success
Increasing ratings?
In the news?
• Famous people talking about you?
• Getting too famous – industry and
government agencies after you?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Outbreaks in Nursing Homes
& Assisted Living Facilities
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
HOSPITAL OUTBREAK LINKED
TO NEW CONSTRUCTION
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
South Bronx Outbreak
• 130 cases, 12
deaths
• Declared over
August 20,
2015
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Outbreak Linked to Hotel
Cooling Tower
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
NEW YORK STATE
EMERGENCY REGULATIONS
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Emergency Regulation
• Cooling towers must
be registered
• Legionella testing
every 90 days
• Inspection
• Certification
• Maintenance program
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
I Love New York!
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Outbreaks Worldwide
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Outbreak
• Catalonia, Spain
 113 cases, caused by Legionella
pneumophila, serogroup 1
 13 cooling towers tested
 DNA subtype of isolates from one tower
matched the subtype of 10 patient isolates
implicating it as the outbreak source
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
More Outbreaks: Germany
• Warstein, Germany
 165 cases, 12 ICU, 2 deaths caused by
Legionella pneumophila, serogroup 1
 Outbreak strain found in 2 cooling towers +
other sources – including wastewater from a
brewery!
 Public health communication
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Public Safety Announcement
“Whether or not the Warsteiner brewery is
found to be the breeding ground for the
Legionella bacteria, officials have been
making it clear that …
the beer is completely safe to drink.”
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
HEALTHCARE-ACQUIRED LD
Approaches To Prevention
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Denial
Most wait to
address
the problem until
after
a case of
Legionnaires’
disease
is diagnosed.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionella Testing
If you don’t look for
it, you won’t find it.
If you don’t find it,
you don’t think
you have a problem.
If you don’t think
you have a problem,
you don’t do anything
about it.
−Bruce Dixon, M.D.
Director, Pittsburgh ACHD
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
CDC Changes Position on Testing
“We are not against testing water for the
presence of Legionella…
We think it has its place, particularly in
healthcare facilities.”
Cynthia Whitney, MD, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. June 8, 2016 Pittsburgh Post Gazette
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Approaches to Prevention
• REACTIVE
 After 1 transplant
patient or 2+ cases
within 6 months
• Combined
epidemiologic and
environmental
investigation
• Legionella source
identified =
decontaminate
• PROACTIVE
 Before cases, perform
environmental
surveillance
 Also perform clinical
surveillance to identify
unrecognized cases
• Legionella source
identified =
decontaminate
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Proactive Approach Reduced
Legionnaires’ Disease
Am. J. Infection Control 2005; 33(6):360-367
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Pittsburgh Proactive Approach
Culture hot water systems.
Was Legionella found?
Prior cases of legionellosis observed?
Colonization of distal sites >30%?
Prospective clinical
surveillance detected
legionellosis?
Consider Secondary
Disinfection
Continue Environmental
Surveillance
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
Reference:
Approaches to
Prevention and
Control of Legionella
Infection in Allegheny
County Health Care
Facilities. 1997.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Study Findings
• Reviewed 487 reported cases from
1991-2001 (Pre- and-post guideline)
• Proportion of cases hospital-acquired:
 Pre-guideline = 33%
 Post-guideline = 9%
• Significant decrease in the post
guideline period (p<0.0001)
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Our Study Results of 48 Hospitals
• Proportion of hospitals performing
environmental surveillance = 65%
• Proportion that started water
treatment (disinfection) = 44%
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
I Love New York!
New York Is being Proactive!
State-wide
regulation
requires testing and
water management
plans for cooling
towers
AND
potable water
systems of
healthcare facilities
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Table at www.specialpathogenslab.com
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionella Prevention In New York:
Cooling Towers AND Healthcare
• First Regulation in the U.S.
 Addition of Part 4 to Title 10 of the Official
Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of
the State of New York
(Protection Against Legionella)
• This Subpart addresses Legionella
exposure in general hospitals and
residential health care facilities (collectively,
“covered facilities”).
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
New NY State Regulation
For Legionella Prevention
• Requires that all covered healthcare
facilities adopt and implement:
 a sampling and management plan for
their potable water systems by
December 1, 2016, and
 new covered facilities must adopt such
plan prior to providing services.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Percentage of Positive
Legionella test Sites Response
<30%
Maintain environmental assessment and
Legionella monitoring in accordance with the
sampling and management plan
>30%
Institute short-term control measures and
notify the department.
• Re-sample no sooner than 7 days
and no later than 4 weeks after disinfection
• If retest is ≥ 30% positive, repeat
short-term control measures.
• If results < 30% positive, resume
monitoring in accordance with the
sampling and management plan.
Interpretation of Routine Legionella
Culture Results from Covered Facilities
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Where Did The 30%
Target Come From?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Evidence-based Origins of 30% Distal
Site Positivity As Risk Indicator
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Correlation Between Disease and
Distal Site Positivity
• Whenever monthly site positivity
exceeded 30%, cases of
Legionnaires’ disease appeared in
those months.
• Similarly, when positivity fell to 20%
or less, no case of disease were
observed.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Proportion Not Concentration
Risk of Legionnaires’ disease was better
predicted by the
proportion
of water system sites
testing positive for Legionella
than by the
concentration of Legionella bacteria.
Kool J L, et al. Infect. Control Hosp. Epid. 1999 20:797-805
Validated in a Multi-Center Study
Infect Control Hosp Epid 2007; 28 (7)
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
DistalSitePositvity
Date
High (>30%) Legionella Distal Site Positivity And
Cases Prior to Treatment
Distal Site Positivity
No Cases after
Treatment (NH2Cl)
Cases
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Where You Can Find Legionella
• Building (warm)
water systems
 Faucets, showers
 Hot water tanks
 Decorative fountains
 Pools, spas
 Cooling towers
 Ice Machines
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
You Can’t Tell by Looking
>3000 CFU/mL
Legionella pneumophila
serogroup 1
Automated dosing of
chemical biocides
and clean
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Microbiological Testing: HPC (Total) Bacteria
Does An HPC Test Predict A Problem
With Legionella?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Heterotrophic Plate
Count (HPC) Bacteria Testing
• Bacteriological indicator … estimates
microbial content in the circulating
water of a cooling tower system, such
as heterotrophic plate count (HPC) as
measured in a water sample or by a
dip slide.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Heterotrophic Plate
Count (HPC) Bacteria Testing
What do you learn?
• HPC method does not detect Legionella
• HPC cannot be used to predict presence
or absence of Legionella
• HPC counts can be low when Legionella
is high
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
2015 Publication
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Heterotrophic Plate
Count (HPC) Bacteria Testing
HPC or ATP Test Can:
• Be used as a biocide performance
indicator for general microbiological
fouling
• Be an inexpensive early warning of a
process or biocide application upset
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
NYC HPC Test NYS HPC Test
Weekly bacteriological
sampling and analysis
using dip slides or
heterotrophic plate
counts (HPC).
Monthly bacteriological
sampling and analysis
using dip slides or
heterotrophic plate counts
(HPC).
Result & Response Result & Response
CFU/mL < 10,000
maintain program
>10,000 and <100,000;
Initiate immediate
disinfection
(See Table 8-2 for details)
Not Specified
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionella Test Result
(CFU/mL) Response
Not Detected
(<20 CFU/mL)
Maintain treatment program and Legionella
monitoring in accordance with the
maintenance program and management plan
For levels at ≥ 20
CFU/mL but < 1000
CFU/mL perform the
following:
Review treatment program.
• Institute immediate online disinfection
Retest the water in 3 – 7 days until one
sample result is < 20 CFU/mL. If retest is ≥
20 CFU/mL but < 100 CFU/mL, repeat
online disinfection and retest until < 20
CFU/mL attained.
• If retest is ≥100 CFU/mL but < 1000
CFU/mL, further investigate and
immediately perform online disinfection.
Retest until < 20 CFU/mL attained.
• If retest is ≥ 1000 CFU/mL, undertake
control strategy and notifications
Guidance for Cooling Towers In NYS
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Risk Assessment and
Environmental Monitoring Results
• Concentration-
based thresholds that
establish target
values in CFU per
liter or milliliter
 OK for cooling towers
as a performance-
based target (not
health-based)
• Colonization rate
or proportion of distal
sites in the water
system that are
positive for Legionella
 Best for hospitals and
building water
systems
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Meaning for You
Sampling the water system of a
building can give you a meaningful
“snapshot” of the colonization status.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionella Testing
• Legionella testing can verify
the performance of water
treatment & water safety plans
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Did You Know CDC Has a
New Position On Testing?
“We are not against testing”
water for the presence of
Legionella…We think it has its
place, particularly in healthcare
facilities.”
Cynthia Whitney, MD Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization
and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. June 8, 2016 Pittsburgh Post Gazette
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Is the Sky Falling?
If I Find Some Legionella?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
What is an
acceptable amount
of
Legionella?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
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IS ZERO
NECESSARY?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Zero Legionella is
virtually impossible to
achieve in complex
water systems
Don’t Chase Zero
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Preventing Legionnaires’ Disease
• Controlling Legionella is about
preventing disease not about
reaching zero Legionella in water.
• Zero Cases Is the Goal
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
AN INSIDE LOOK AT
LEGIONELLA
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionella Colony Morphology
Colonies of Legionella pneumophila have a typical
ground-glass, opalescent morphology
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Not All Legionella Are Dangerous
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Auto fluorescing Legionella Species:
Uncommon Disease-causing Agent
Some species show blue-white extracellular fluorescence
Under long wave ultra-violet light
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionella Culture Isolation
• These species include
L. anisa, L. bozemannii
L. dumoffii, L. gormanii,
L. erythra and L
rubrilucens
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Labs Vary in Culture Methods for
Legionella Testing & Identification
Apples to apples or apples to oranges?
Did you know that labs
differ in their methods for
Legionella testing &
identification?
ELITE Certified Laboratories
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
• Methods for Legionella detection and
quantitation
 Standard culture – validated/gold
standard
 Non-culture based molecular methods
• Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction
(qPCR)
• Molecular/Sequencing (NGS, WGS)
Detection of Legionella
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Culture Method
• Industry standard/best practice
 Standards based
• ISO 11731 (1&2)
• ASTM D 5952
• CDC
• International – HSE L8 ACP 2013
 Laboratory Proficiency Programs
• NY ELAP
• ELITE is not a traditional proficiency program
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Labs Use Different Culture Methods
• Labs use all or only some of these
processing methods
 Pretreatment (heat and/or acid)
 Filtration (yes/no or how much)
 Special culture media (types and how
many)
• Labs provide limited identification (ID)
 Only presumptive agglutination test?
 Definitive ID with DFA or sequencing for
unusual species?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionella Identification
• Suspected Legionella
isolates are confirmed
by either slide
agglutination or by
direct fluorescent
antibody staining
• Latex agglutination for
L. pneumophila
serogroups 1, 2-14
and Legionella
species.
Oxoid Latex agglutination
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
• Used for
definitive
identification of
Legionella after
isolation by
culture
Fluorescent Antibody Stain
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Patient isolates compared to environmental isolates
using PFGE (Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis).
Cultured Legionella
“Fingerprinted” by DNA Typing
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
NYC Specifies Culture Method
• Labs testing samples from NY must
use International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) Legionella
culture methods:
 Enumeration of Legionella (ISO 11731)
or International Standard Method 11731-
2 Water quality detection and
enumeration of Legionella
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
NY State Specifies Culture Method
• All Legionella culture analyses must
be performed by a laboratory that is
approved to perform such analysis by
the New York State Environmental
Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP).
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Confirm Lab Meets Requirements
• Labs performing
testing should be
 Accredited for
microbiology testing,
quality (ISO 17025)
and for Legionella
testing as a specific
field of testing
 Not just CDC ELITE
certified
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
SPL - Most
accurate
results are
obtained
when all
steps are
performed
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Accreditation & Certification
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Measures of Success
Increasing ratings?
In the news?
• Famous people talking about you?
• Getting too famous – industry and
government agencies after you?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
FAMOUS PEOPLE TALKING
ABOUT YOU
Successful Legionella
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Erin Brockovich & Legionella?
• Draws attention to the
release of a report
that said
Legionnaires’ disease
cases are on the rise
in New York because
of poor enforcement
of clean water
regulations.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Hollywood Walk of Fame
for Legionella?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Measures of Success
Increasing ratings?
In the news?
Famous people talking about you?
Getting too famous – industry and
government agencies after you?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionella Has Their Attention
• ASHRAE
• CDC
• EPA
• NSF
• WRF
• Industry
Organizations AWT
and CTI
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
• First Legionella
standard in the
United States.
• Approved
June 26, 2015
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Risk Management Process
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Purpose of ASHRAE Standard 188
Establish minimum Legionellosis risk
management requirements for building
water systems.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
The Real Purpose of
ASHRAE Standard 188
To help
engineers and
infection
preventionists
communicate
more effectively
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Elements of Water
Management Program
Program Team – Persons responsible for Program development and
implementation.
Water Systems/Flow Diagrams – Describe potable and non-potable water
systems and develop water system-schematics.
Water System Analysis/Control Measures – Evaluate where hazardous
conditions may occur and decide where control measures should be applied.
Monitoring/Corrective Actions – Establish procedure for monitoring whether
control measures are within operating limits and, if not, take corrective actions.
Confirmation – Establish procedure to confirm Program is being implemented
as designed (verification) and the Program effectively controls the hazardous
conditions (validation).
Documentation – Establish documentation and communication procedures for
all activities of the Program.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
The Team
• Titles
 Administrator
 Facilities manager
 Infection control
 Water treatment
professional
 Risk manager/adjuster
 Legionella consultant
• Abilities
 Power to make
decisions
 Understanding of facility
 Knowledge of water
systems
 Ability assess facility risk
tolerance
 Expertise in Legionella
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
SPL’s 5 Steps to a Legionella
Water Safety Plan
1. Pre-Assessment information
2. Pre-assessment water safety team
meeting/call
3. Onsite assessment
4. Baseline data assessment report
5. Water safety plan
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Fundamentals for
Legionella Water Safety
• Know who is at risk for Legionnaires’ disease
in your facility
 Highest risk: smokers, elderly and immune
suppressed
 But, can affect those with no risk factors
• Identify key players who are responsible for
water safety
 Facility managers, maintenance, occupants,
regulators, engineers, water treatment
providers, Legionella experts, etc.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Legionella Water Safety
• Know what part of a water system could lead
to Legionella exposure
 Highest risk: Hot potable water systems
 Not all buildings have Legionella
 Risk is a function of
• susceptibility of occupants
• extent of colonization or exposure
• pathogenicity of Legionella species
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
ASHRAE 188: Mind the Gaps
ASHRAE Compliance
• Compliance is just
the first step to
protect yourself
and building
occupants
• Compliance
doesn’t guarantee
Legionella control
and cases can
occur.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
ASHRAE 188:
Your Decisions Fill The Gaps
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
ASHRAE 188 Compliance
Good News, Bad News
• Standard is not prescriptive –
 Good News - You get to make lots of
decisions
 Bad News - You get to make lots of
decisions
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Team Determines Approach to
Testing And Disinfection
• The Program Team shall determine
the testing approach including:
 Sampling frequency
 Number of samples
 Locations and sampling methods
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Knowledge
The Program Team shall have knowledge
of the building water system design
and water management as
it relates to Legionellosis
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Test Your Knowledge: True or False?
• Legionella is ubiquitous (everywhere).
• If chlorine levels at or above 0.5 mg/L in the supply
water, Legionella is controlled.
• Only old buildings have Legionella problems.
• If total bacteria (HPC or ATP) are controlled,
Legionella is controlled.
• Water and energy conservation approaches
minimize Legionella risk.
• Legionella is not a concern during construction.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
CDC Focuses on
Effective Water
Management For
Legionnaires’ Disease
Prevention
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
DISINFECTION APPROACHES
I Have Legionella in My Building…
Now What?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
DISINFECTION OPTIONS
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Secondary Disinfection Methods
• Thermal shock
treatment
(heat & flush)
• Shock chlorination
(>10 mg/L residual),
may require water
tanks to be
20-50 mg/L
• Continuous
chlorination (2-4 mg/L)
• Copper-silver
ionization (continuous
and short-course)
• Chlorine Dioxide
(ClO2)
• Monochloramine
• Point-of-use filtration
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Short-term Disinfection Is
Whack-a-Mole
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
PROTECTING TRANSPLANT,
HIGH RISK PATIENTS, NEONATES
We Filter the Air…
But Let Them Drink Tap Water?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Water is a Source
of
infection
especially for
high risk patients –including
neonates
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Healthcare-acquired Pediatric LD
• CDC study showed
72% pediatric
cases had
healthcare
exposure
• Mortality rate 22%
Alexander NT, et al 2008
ICAAC
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Fatal Water Birth
E, Sanyal K, Threadgill H, Cervantes D. Fatal legionellosis after water
birth, Texas, USA, 2014. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Jan].
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Point-of-Use Filtration
• High Risk Patients
• Bone marrow and
solid organ transplant
units
• Hematology/
oncology units
• NICU
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Field Evaluation
AJIC 2014; 42: 1193-1196
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Point-of-Use Filters: Conclusions
• System-wide disinfection may not always
be the best answer.
• Next generation filters last longer – more
than 60 days
• High risk areas may require long-term use
for maximum risk reduction
• Extend protection to home for high risk
patients?
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Journal Am Water Works Assoc 2014; 106(10): 24-32
Review of Methods
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
EPA Issues Review of Legionella
Control & Disinfection Methods
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Acinetobacter
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
S. maltophilia
Amoeba Resistant Microorganisms
(Mycobacteria )
Not Just Legionella in
Our Faucets
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Culture Shows Pathogens
Klebsiella oxytoca and
Enterobacter cloacae
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
See You in Portland - APIC 2017
• 1401/1402 - Water and Healthcare-Associated
Infections: The Importance of Developing and
Implementing a Water Management Plan
• Presenters: Janet E. Stout & Matthew Arduino
• Wednesday, June 14, 2017
• 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
PREVENTING
LEGIONNAIRES’
DISEASE
How are we doing?
Progress Has Been Slow…
Really Slow!
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Total Legionella Control
An evidence-based,
integrated platform of
solutions:
• Legionella &
Pathogen Testing
• Consulting &
Education
• ZEROutbreak
Protection
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
Our Mission:
End Legionnaires’ Disease
• No one should die
from a preventable
disease caused by
a bacteria in water.
• Legionnaires’
disease can and
should be
prevented.
© Special Pathogens Laboratory
WWW.SPECIALPATHOGENSLAB.COM
THANK YOU
Dr. Janet E. Stout
President, Microbiologist
info@specialpathogenslab.com

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Legionnaires' Disease: A Preventable Disease

  • 1. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Janet E. Stout, PhD President & Director LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE A Preventable Disease
  • 2. © Special Pathogens Laboratory My Affiliations • President & Director Special Pathogens Laboratory, Pittsburgh, Pa. • SPL is “More Than a Lab” • Research Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Research on Legionella control strategies
  • 3. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Today’s Topics • Understanding Legionella In The Built Environment • Role of Legionella Testing In Disease Prevention • NY Regs & ASHRAE Standard 188 • Approaches To Prevention
  • 4. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Celebrating More Than 40 Years of Making Headlines
  • 5. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Things That Happened in 1976 in Philadelphia 40 years is a long time!
  • 6. © Special Pathogens Laboratory American Legion Convention at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel
  • 7. © Special Pathogens Laboratory 1976 Philadelphia • 58th convention of the American Legion held July 21-24 • Mysterious illness effects 221 and kills 34 • Causative agent of pneumonia would not be identified until 1977
  • 8. © Special Pathogens Laboratory 1980: Research Begins in Pittsburgh • More than 30 years studying Legionnaires’ disease  I’m a Legionellologist
  • 9. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Research Pioneers Starting in 1982 • Over 100 nosocomial cases identified in 5 years in one hospital • An epidemic redefined - endemic disease • The source was the hospital water system – not a cooling tower! Janet E. Stout and Victor L. Yu
  • 10. © Special Pathogens Laboratory
  • 11. © Special Pathogens Laboratory • NOT a common source for sporadic and hospital-acquired cases • More commonly associated with large community outbreaks Paradigm Shift: Not Cooling Towers
  • 12. © Special Pathogens Laboratory What We Know Now Potable water especially in hospitals (and other buildings) with complex hot water systems, is the most important source of Legionella transmission.
  • 13. © Special Pathogens Laboratory A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL MICROBE Legionella
  • 14. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Measures of Success • Numbers up? • In the news? • Famous people talking about you? • Getting too famous – industry and government agencies after you?
  • 15. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Successful Microbe: Disease Incidence Increasing?
  • 16. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Consider This… • Legionellosis cases have increased substantially – over 200% in last 10 years
  • 17. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Who’s At Risk • Elderly • Smokers • Immunocompromised  Transplant patients  High-dose steroids for lung disease  Diabetes  Cancer • Approx. 25% cases no known risk factors
  • 18. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statistics • 77% >50 years • 62% male • Hospitalizations occurred in 98%  ICU admission in 39%  Death in 10%–30%
  • 19. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionnaires’ Disease in Hospitals • 35% of reported cases met the case definition for hospital-acquired infection (range 45%–25%) • Case fatality rate was 28% (range 46%–14%) From Benin A.L., Benson R.F., Besser R.E. Clin Infect Dis 2002; 35:1039-46. Data reported to the CDC from 1980-1998.
  • 20. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Cases Linked to Water Systems • Warm water distribution in:  Hospitals  Nursing homes  Rehabilitation centers  Office buildings  Apartment buildings  Hotels • Other water systems:  Spas and hot tubs  Decorative fountains  Humidifiers  Cooling towers
  • 21. © Special Pathogens Laboratory HEALTHCARE-ACQUIRED CASES Epidemiology and Infection Prevention
  • 22. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Many Cases Still Missed • Diagnostic tests for Legionella not routine – often not done • Many studies have demonstrated under reporting/missed diagnosis
  • 23. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Under Reporting Due to Missed Diagnosis
  • 24. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Results for 37 Cases 41% of Legionella cases were missed following current IDSA-ATS recommendations for Legionella testing
  • 25. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Urinary Antigen: the Primary Diagnostic Method • Urine antigen primary method of diagnosis in 97% of cases • Culture of Legionella from respiratory secretions (sputum) in only 5% of cases • Early diagnosis and treatment = better outcome MMWR 2011 Vol 60 (32)
  • 26. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Dangers of Dependency on Urine Antigen Testing for Diagnosis • Urine antigen specific for L. pneumophila, serogroup 1 only • If used to screen for healthcare- acquired LD, you’d better know what’s in your water!  If Lp-6 in the water, diagnosis will be missed MMWR 2011 Vol 60 (32)
  • 27. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Transmission by CPAP?
  • 28. © Special Pathogens Laboratory PREVENTING LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE Is It Worth The Effort?
  • 29. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionnaires’ Disease • In the U.S. approximately 600,000 adults are diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization • 2-5% are caused by Legionella, as many as 30,000 cases/year
  • 30. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Annual Healthcare Costs From Legionnaires’ Disease • Total hospitalization costs $101 - $321 million dollars per year • Assumption 10 day stay and $34,000 per patient COLLIER S.A., L. J. STOCKMAN, L.A. HICKS, L. E. GARRISON, F. J. ZHOU AND M. J. BEACH. Epidemiol. Infect. (2012), 140, 2003–2013.
  • 31. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionellosis in the U.S. Outbreaks continue to occur (building warm water systems, cooling towers, fountains)
  • 32. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Outbreaks 2000 to 2014
  • 33. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Hospitals at Significant Risk According to Recent CDC Report Legionella in hospitals – accounted for 57% of all cases and 85% of deaths
  • 34. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Measures of Success Increasing ratings? In the news? • Famous people talking about you? • Getting too famous – industry and government agencies after you?
  • 35. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Outbreaks in Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Facilities
  • 36. © Special Pathogens Laboratory HOSPITAL OUTBREAK LINKED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION
  • 37. © Special Pathogens Laboratory South Bronx Outbreak • 130 cases, 12 deaths • Declared over August 20, 2015
  • 38. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Outbreak Linked to Hotel Cooling Tower
  • 39. © Special Pathogens Laboratory NEW YORK STATE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS
  • 40. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Emergency Regulation • Cooling towers must be registered • Legionella testing every 90 days • Inspection • Certification • Maintenance program
  • 41. © Special Pathogens Laboratory I Love New York!
  • 42. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Outbreaks Worldwide
  • 43. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Outbreak • Catalonia, Spain  113 cases, caused by Legionella pneumophila, serogroup 1  13 cooling towers tested  DNA subtype of isolates from one tower matched the subtype of 10 patient isolates implicating it as the outbreak source
  • 44. © Special Pathogens Laboratory More Outbreaks: Germany • Warstein, Germany  165 cases, 12 ICU, 2 deaths caused by Legionella pneumophila, serogroup 1  Outbreak strain found in 2 cooling towers + other sources – including wastewater from a brewery!  Public health communication
  • 45. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Public Safety Announcement “Whether or not the Warsteiner brewery is found to be the breeding ground for the Legionella bacteria, officials have been making it clear that … the beer is completely safe to drink.”
  • 46. © Special Pathogens Laboratory HEALTHCARE-ACQUIRED LD Approaches To Prevention
  • 47. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Denial Most wait to address the problem until after a case of Legionnaires’ disease is diagnosed.
  • 48. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionella Testing If you don’t look for it, you won’t find it. If you don’t find it, you don’t think you have a problem. If you don’t think you have a problem, you don’t do anything about it. −Bruce Dixon, M.D. Director, Pittsburgh ACHD
  • 49. © Special Pathogens Laboratory CDC Changes Position on Testing “We are not against testing water for the presence of Legionella… We think it has its place, particularly in healthcare facilities.” Cynthia Whitney, MD, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. June 8, 2016 Pittsburgh Post Gazette
  • 50. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Approaches to Prevention • REACTIVE  After 1 transplant patient or 2+ cases within 6 months • Combined epidemiologic and environmental investigation • Legionella source identified = decontaminate • PROACTIVE  Before cases, perform environmental surveillance  Also perform clinical surveillance to identify unrecognized cases • Legionella source identified = decontaminate
  • 51. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Proactive Approach Reduced Legionnaires’ Disease Am. J. Infection Control 2005; 33(6):360-367
  • 52. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Pittsburgh Proactive Approach Culture hot water systems. Was Legionella found? Prior cases of legionellosis observed? Colonization of distal sites >30%? Prospective clinical surveillance detected legionellosis? Consider Secondary Disinfection Continue Environmental Surveillance YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO Reference: Approaches to Prevention and Control of Legionella Infection in Allegheny County Health Care Facilities. 1997.
  • 53. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Study Findings • Reviewed 487 reported cases from 1991-2001 (Pre- and-post guideline) • Proportion of cases hospital-acquired:  Pre-guideline = 33%  Post-guideline = 9% • Significant decrease in the post guideline period (p<0.0001)
  • 54. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Our Study Results of 48 Hospitals • Proportion of hospitals performing environmental surveillance = 65% • Proportion that started water treatment (disinfection) = 44%
  • 55. © Special Pathogens Laboratory I Love New York! New York Is being Proactive! State-wide regulation requires testing and water management plans for cooling towers AND potable water systems of healthcare facilities
  • 56. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Table at www.specialpathogenslab.com
  • 57. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionella Prevention In New York: Cooling Towers AND Healthcare • First Regulation in the U.S.  Addition of Part 4 to Title 10 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (Protection Against Legionella) • This Subpart addresses Legionella exposure in general hospitals and residential health care facilities (collectively, “covered facilities”).
  • 58. © Special Pathogens Laboratory New NY State Regulation For Legionella Prevention • Requires that all covered healthcare facilities adopt and implement:  a sampling and management plan for their potable water systems by December 1, 2016, and  new covered facilities must adopt such plan prior to providing services.
  • 59. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Percentage of Positive Legionella test Sites Response <30% Maintain environmental assessment and Legionella monitoring in accordance with the sampling and management plan >30% Institute short-term control measures and notify the department. • Re-sample no sooner than 7 days and no later than 4 weeks after disinfection • If retest is ≥ 30% positive, repeat short-term control measures. • If results < 30% positive, resume monitoring in accordance with the sampling and management plan. Interpretation of Routine Legionella Culture Results from Covered Facilities
  • 60. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Where Did The 30% Target Come From?
  • 61. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Evidence-based Origins of 30% Distal Site Positivity As Risk Indicator
  • 62. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Correlation Between Disease and Distal Site Positivity • Whenever monthly site positivity exceeded 30%, cases of Legionnaires’ disease appeared in those months. • Similarly, when positivity fell to 20% or less, no case of disease were observed.
  • 63. © Special Pathogens Laboratory
  • 64. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Proportion Not Concentration Risk of Legionnaires’ disease was better predicted by the proportion of water system sites testing positive for Legionella than by the concentration of Legionella bacteria. Kool J L, et al. Infect. Control Hosp. Epid. 1999 20:797-805
  • 65. Validated in a Multi-Center Study Infect Control Hosp Epid 2007; 28 (7)
  • 66. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% DistalSitePositvity Date High (>30%) Legionella Distal Site Positivity And Cases Prior to Treatment Distal Site Positivity No Cases after Treatment (NH2Cl) Cases
  • 67. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Where You Can Find Legionella • Building (warm) water systems  Faucets, showers  Hot water tanks  Decorative fountains  Pools, spas  Cooling towers  Ice Machines
  • 68. © Special Pathogens Laboratory You Can’t Tell by Looking >3000 CFU/mL Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 Automated dosing of chemical biocides and clean
  • 69. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Microbiological Testing: HPC (Total) Bacteria Does An HPC Test Predict A Problem With Legionella?
  • 70. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) Bacteria Testing • Bacteriological indicator … estimates microbial content in the circulating water of a cooling tower system, such as heterotrophic plate count (HPC) as measured in a water sample or by a dip slide.
  • 71. © Special Pathogens Laboratory
  • 72. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) Bacteria Testing What do you learn? • HPC method does not detect Legionella • HPC cannot be used to predict presence or absence of Legionella • HPC counts can be low when Legionella is high
  • 73. © Special Pathogens Laboratory 2015 Publication
  • 74. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) Bacteria Testing HPC or ATP Test Can: • Be used as a biocide performance indicator for general microbiological fouling • Be an inexpensive early warning of a process or biocide application upset
  • 75. © Special Pathogens Laboratory NYC HPC Test NYS HPC Test Weekly bacteriological sampling and analysis using dip slides or heterotrophic plate counts (HPC). Monthly bacteriological sampling and analysis using dip slides or heterotrophic plate counts (HPC). Result & Response Result & Response CFU/mL < 10,000 maintain program >10,000 and <100,000; Initiate immediate disinfection (See Table 8-2 for details) Not Specified
  • 76. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionella Test Result (CFU/mL) Response Not Detected (<20 CFU/mL) Maintain treatment program and Legionella monitoring in accordance with the maintenance program and management plan For levels at ≥ 20 CFU/mL but < 1000 CFU/mL perform the following: Review treatment program. • Institute immediate online disinfection Retest the water in 3 – 7 days until one sample result is < 20 CFU/mL. If retest is ≥ 20 CFU/mL but < 100 CFU/mL, repeat online disinfection and retest until < 20 CFU/mL attained. • If retest is ≥100 CFU/mL but < 1000 CFU/mL, further investigate and immediately perform online disinfection. Retest until < 20 CFU/mL attained. • If retest is ≥ 1000 CFU/mL, undertake control strategy and notifications Guidance for Cooling Towers In NYS
  • 77. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Risk Assessment and Environmental Monitoring Results • Concentration- based thresholds that establish target values in CFU per liter or milliliter  OK for cooling towers as a performance- based target (not health-based) • Colonization rate or proportion of distal sites in the water system that are positive for Legionella  Best for hospitals and building water systems
  • 78. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Meaning for You Sampling the water system of a building can give you a meaningful “snapshot” of the colonization status.
  • 79. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionella Testing • Legionella testing can verify the performance of water treatment & water safety plans
  • 80. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Did You Know CDC Has a New Position On Testing? “We are not against testing” water for the presence of Legionella…We think it has its place, particularly in healthcare facilities.” Cynthia Whitney, MD Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. June 8, 2016 Pittsburgh Post Gazette
  • 81. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Is the Sky Falling? If I Find Some Legionella?
  • 82. © Special Pathogens Laboratory What is an acceptable amount of Legionella?
  • 83. © Special Pathogens Laboratory 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 IS ZERO NECESSARY?
  • 84. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Zero Legionella is virtually impossible to achieve in complex water systems Don’t Chase Zero
  • 85. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Preventing Legionnaires’ Disease • Controlling Legionella is about preventing disease not about reaching zero Legionella in water. • Zero Cases Is the Goal
  • 86. © Special Pathogens Laboratory AN INSIDE LOOK AT LEGIONELLA
  • 87. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionella Colony Morphology Colonies of Legionella pneumophila have a typical ground-glass, opalescent morphology
  • 88. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Not All Legionella Are Dangerous
  • 89. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Auto fluorescing Legionella Species: Uncommon Disease-causing Agent Some species show blue-white extracellular fluorescence Under long wave ultra-violet light
  • 90. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionella Culture Isolation • These species include L. anisa, L. bozemannii L. dumoffii, L. gormanii, L. erythra and L rubrilucens
  • 91. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Labs Vary in Culture Methods for Legionella Testing & Identification Apples to apples or apples to oranges?
  • 92. Did you know that labs differ in their methods for Legionella testing & identification? ELITE Certified Laboratories
  • 93. © Special Pathogens Laboratory • Methods for Legionella detection and quantitation  Standard culture – validated/gold standard  Non-culture based molecular methods • Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) • Molecular/Sequencing (NGS, WGS) Detection of Legionella
  • 94. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Culture Method • Industry standard/best practice  Standards based • ISO 11731 (1&2) • ASTM D 5952 • CDC • International – HSE L8 ACP 2013  Laboratory Proficiency Programs • NY ELAP • ELITE is not a traditional proficiency program
  • 95. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Labs Use Different Culture Methods • Labs use all or only some of these processing methods  Pretreatment (heat and/or acid)  Filtration (yes/no or how much)  Special culture media (types and how many) • Labs provide limited identification (ID)  Only presumptive agglutination test?  Definitive ID with DFA or sequencing for unusual species?
  • 96. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionella Identification • Suspected Legionella isolates are confirmed by either slide agglutination or by direct fluorescent antibody staining • Latex agglutination for L. pneumophila serogroups 1, 2-14 and Legionella species. Oxoid Latex agglutination
  • 97. © Special Pathogens Laboratory • Used for definitive identification of Legionella after isolation by culture Fluorescent Antibody Stain
  • 98. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Patient isolates compared to environmental isolates using PFGE (Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis). Cultured Legionella “Fingerprinted” by DNA Typing
  • 99. © Special Pathogens Laboratory NYC Specifies Culture Method • Labs testing samples from NY must use International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Legionella culture methods:  Enumeration of Legionella (ISO 11731) or International Standard Method 11731- 2 Water quality detection and enumeration of Legionella
  • 100. © Special Pathogens Laboratory NY State Specifies Culture Method • All Legionella culture analyses must be performed by a laboratory that is approved to perform such analysis by the New York State Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP).
  • 101. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Confirm Lab Meets Requirements • Labs performing testing should be  Accredited for microbiology testing, quality (ISO 17025) and for Legionella testing as a specific field of testing  Not just CDC ELITE certified
  • 102. © Special Pathogens Laboratory SPL - Most accurate results are obtained when all steps are performed
  • 103. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Accreditation & Certification
  • 104. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Measures of Success Increasing ratings? In the news? • Famous people talking about you? • Getting too famous – industry and government agencies after you?
  • 105. © Special Pathogens Laboratory FAMOUS PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT YOU Successful Legionella
  • 106. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Erin Brockovich & Legionella? • Draws attention to the release of a report that said Legionnaires’ disease cases are on the rise in New York because of poor enforcement of clean water regulations.
  • 107. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Hollywood Walk of Fame for Legionella?
  • 108. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Measures of Success Increasing ratings? In the news? Famous people talking about you? Getting too famous – industry and government agencies after you?
  • 109. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionella Has Their Attention • ASHRAE • CDC • EPA • NSF • WRF • Industry Organizations AWT and CTI
  • 110. © Special Pathogens Laboratory • First Legionella standard in the United States. • Approved June 26, 2015
  • 111. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Risk Management Process
  • 112. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Purpose of ASHRAE Standard 188 Establish minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems.
  • 113. © Special Pathogens Laboratory The Real Purpose of ASHRAE Standard 188 To help engineers and infection preventionists communicate more effectively
  • 114. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Elements of Water Management Program Program Team – Persons responsible for Program development and implementation. Water Systems/Flow Diagrams – Describe potable and non-potable water systems and develop water system-schematics. Water System Analysis/Control Measures – Evaluate where hazardous conditions may occur and decide where control measures should be applied. Monitoring/Corrective Actions – Establish procedure for monitoring whether control measures are within operating limits and, if not, take corrective actions. Confirmation – Establish procedure to confirm Program is being implemented as designed (verification) and the Program effectively controls the hazardous conditions (validation). Documentation – Establish documentation and communication procedures for all activities of the Program.
  • 115. © Special Pathogens Laboratory The Team • Titles  Administrator  Facilities manager  Infection control  Water treatment professional  Risk manager/adjuster  Legionella consultant • Abilities  Power to make decisions  Understanding of facility  Knowledge of water systems  Ability assess facility risk tolerance  Expertise in Legionella
  • 116. © Special Pathogens Laboratory SPL’s 5 Steps to a Legionella Water Safety Plan 1. Pre-Assessment information 2. Pre-assessment water safety team meeting/call 3. Onsite assessment 4. Baseline data assessment report 5. Water safety plan
  • 117. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Fundamentals for Legionella Water Safety • Know who is at risk for Legionnaires’ disease in your facility  Highest risk: smokers, elderly and immune suppressed  But, can affect those with no risk factors • Identify key players who are responsible for water safety  Facility managers, maintenance, occupants, regulators, engineers, water treatment providers, Legionella experts, etc.
  • 118. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Legionella Water Safety • Know what part of a water system could lead to Legionella exposure  Highest risk: Hot potable water systems  Not all buildings have Legionella  Risk is a function of • susceptibility of occupants • extent of colonization or exposure • pathogenicity of Legionella species
  • 119. © Special Pathogens Laboratory ASHRAE 188: Mind the Gaps
  • 120. ASHRAE Compliance • Compliance is just the first step to protect yourself and building occupants • Compliance doesn’t guarantee Legionella control and cases can occur.
  • 121. © Special Pathogens Laboratory ASHRAE 188: Your Decisions Fill The Gaps
  • 122. © Special Pathogens Laboratory ASHRAE 188 Compliance Good News, Bad News • Standard is not prescriptive –  Good News - You get to make lots of decisions  Bad News - You get to make lots of decisions
  • 123. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Team Determines Approach to Testing And Disinfection • The Program Team shall determine the testing approach including:  Sampling frequency  Number of samples  Locations and sampling methods
  • 124. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Knowledge The Program Team shall have knowledge of the building water system design and water management as it relates to Legionellosis
  • 125. © Special Pathogens Laboratory
  • 126. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Test Your Knowledge: True or False? • Legionella is ubiquitous (everywhere). • If chlorine levels at or above 0.5 mg/L in the supply water, Legionella is controlled. • Only old buildings have Legionella problems. • If total bacteria (HPC or ATP) are controlled, Legionella is controlled. • Water and energy conservation approaches minimize Legionella risk. • Legionella is not a concern during construction.
  • 127. © Special Pathogens Laboratory CDC Focuses on Effective Water Management For Legionnaires’ Disease Prevention
  • 128. © Special Pathogens Laboratory
  • 129. © Special Pathogens Laboratory DISINFECTION APPROACHES I Have Legionella in My Building… Now What?
  • 130. © Special Pathogens Laboratory DISINFECTION OPTIONS
  • 131. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Secondary Disinfection Methods • Thermal shock treatment (heat & flush) • Shock chlorination (>10 mg/L residual), may require water tanks to be 20-50 mg/L • Continuous chlorination (2-4 mg/L) • Copper-silver ionization (continuous and short-course) • Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) • Monochloramine • Point-of-use filtration
  • 132. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Short-term Disinfection Is Whack-a-Mole
  • 133. © Special Pathogens Laboratory PROTECTING TRANSPLANT, HIGH RISK PATIENTS, NEONATES We Filter the Air… But Let Them Drink Tap Water?
  • 134. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Water is a Source of infection especially for high risk patients –including neonates
  • 135. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Healthcare-acquired Pediatric LD • CDC study showed 72% pediatric cases had healthcare exposure • Mortality rate 22% Alexander NT, et al 2008 ICAAC
  • 136. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Fatal Water Birth E, Sanyal K, Threadgill H, Cervantes D. Fatal legionellosis after water birth, Texas, USA, 2014. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Jan].
  • 137. © Special Pathogens Laboratory
  • 138. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Point-of-Use Filtration • High Risk Patients • Bone marrow and solid organ transplant units • Hematology/ oncology units • NICU
  • 139. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Field Evaluation AJIC 2014; 42: 1193-1196
  • 140. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Point-of-Use Filters: Conclusions • System-wide disinfection may not always be the best answer. • Next generation filters last longer – more than 60 days • High risk areas may require long-term use for maximum risk reduction • Extend protection to home for high risk patients?
  • 141. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Journal Am Water Works Assoc 2014; 106(10): 24-32 Review of Methods
  • 142. © Special Pathogens Laboratory EPA Issues Review of Legionella Control & Disinfection Methods
  • 143. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Acinetobacter Pseudomonas aeruginosa S. maltophilia Amoeba Resistant Microorganisms (Mycobacteria ) Not Just Legionella in Our Faucets
  • 144. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Culture Shows Pathogens Klebsiella oxytoca and Enterobacter cloacae Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • 145. © Special Pathogens Laboratory See You in Portland - APIC 2017 • 1401/1402 - Water and Healthcare-Associated Infections: The Importance of Developing and Implementing a Water Management Plan • Presenters: Janet E. Stout & Matthew Arduino • Wednesday, June 14, 2017 • 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
  • 146. © Special Pathogens Laboratory PREVENTING LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE How are we doing?
  • 147. Progress Has Been Slow… Really Slow!
  • 148. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Total Legionella Control An evidence-based, integrated platform of solutions: • Legionella & Pathogen Testing • Consulting & Education • ZEROutbreak Protection
  • 149. © Special Pathogens Laboratory Our Mission: End Legionnaires’ Disease • No one should die from a preventable disease caused by a bacteria in water. • Legionnaires’ disease can and should be prevented.
  • 150. © Special Pathogens Laboratory WWW.SPECIALPATHOGENSLAB.COM THANK YOU Dr. Janet E. Stout President, Microbiologist info@specialpathogenslab.com