Aw Tiong Gim, Scott Laura, Jordan Kathryn, Ra Kyungyeon, Ley Christian, Whelton Andrew J
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2022 Apr;241:113945. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.113945. Epub 2022 Feb 17.
The spread of opportunistic pathogens via building water supply and plumbing is of public health concern. This study was conducted to better understand microbial water quality changes in a LEED-certified school building during low water use (Summer) and normal water use (Autumn). The copper plumbed building contained water saving devices, a hot water recirculation system, and received chloraminated drinking water from a public water system. Three separate sampling events were conducted during the summer break inside the building and another three sampling events were conducted after the school returned to session. Using quantitative PCR, Legionella spp. were detected in all water samples, followed by Mycobacterium spp. (99%). Mycobacterium avium (75%) and Acanthamoeba spp. (17.5%) throughout the building water system. Legionella pneumophila and Naegleria fowleri were not detected in any of the samples. The mean concentrations of Legionella spp., Mycobacterium spp., Mycobacterium avium, and Acanthamoeba spp. detected in water samples were 3.9, 5.7, 4.7, and 2.8 log gene copies per 100 ml, respectively. There was a statistically significantly difference in the mean concentrations of Legionella spp., Mycobacterium spp. and M. avium gene markers in water samples between school breaks and when school was in session. Cultivable Legionella were also detected in water samples collected during periods of low water use. This study highlights the need for routine proactive water quality testing in school buildings to determine the extent of drinking water quality problems associated with plumbing and direct action to remediate microbial colonization.
机会性病原体通过建筑供水和管道系统传播是公共卫生关注的问题。本研究旨在更好地了解一所获得LEED认证的学校建筑在低用水量（夏季）和正常用水量（秋季）期间微生物水质的变化。该建筑采用铜管铺设，装有节水装置、热水循环系统，并从公共供水系统接收经氯胺消毒的饮用水。在暑假期间在建筑内进行了三次单独的采样活动，学校开学后又进行了另外三次采样活动。使用定量PCR检测，在所有水样中均检测到军团菌属，其次是分枝杆菌属（99%）。在整个建筑供水系统中检测到鸟分枝杆菌（75%）和棘阿米巴属（17.5%）。在任何样本中均未检测到嗜肺军团菌和福氏耐格里阿米巴。水样中检测到的军团菌属、分枝杆菌属、鸟分枝杆菌和棘阿米巴属的平均浓度分别为每100毫升3.9、5.7、4.7和2.8个对数基因拷贝。学校放假期间和开学期间水样中军团菌属、分枝杆菌属和鸟分枝杆菌基因标记的平均浓度存在统计学显著差异。在低用水量期间采集的水样中也检测到了可培养的军团菌。本研究强调了在学校建筑中进行常规主动水质检测的必要性，以确定与管道系统相关的饮用水质量问题的程度，并采取直接行动修复微生物定植。
