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Appl Environ Microbiol, May 1998, p. 1822-1824, Vol. 64, No. 5
0099-2240/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Free-Living Amoebae in Hot Water Systems of Hospitals with Isolates from Moist Sanitary Areas by Identifying Genera and Determining Temperature Tolerance

Ute Rohr,1,* Susanne Weber,1 Rolf Michel,2 Fidelis Selenka,1 and Michael Wilhelm1

Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44801 Bochum,1 and Ernst-Rodenwaldt-Institut, D-56065 Koblenz,2 Germany

Received 11 September 1997/Accepted 16 February 1998

Legionella-contaminated hot water systems and moist sanitary areas in six hospitals were sampled for amoebae by following a standardized collection protocol. Genus identifications and temperature tolerance determinations were made. Amoebae identified as Hartmannella vermiformis (65%), Echinamoebae spp. (15%), Saccamoebae spp. (12%), and Vahlkampfia spp. (9%) were detected in 29 of 56 (52%) hot water samples. Twenty-three of 49 (47%) swabs obtained from moist areas were amoeba positive. The following genera were identified: Acanthamoeba (22%), Naegleria (22%), Vahlkampfia (20%), Hartmannella (15%), and Vanella (7%). The temperature tolerance of amoebae from hot water systems was strikingly different from that of amoebae from moist areas. At 44°C on agar, 59% of amoebic isolates sampled from hot water systems showed growth. The corresponding value for isolates from moist areas was only 17%. Six Acanthamoeba isolates from the moist areas were considered potential pathogens. Four Hartmannella and two Saccamoeba isolates from hot water could be cultured at 53°C.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44801 Bochum, Germany. Phone: 49234/700-2365. Fax: 49234/709-4199. E-mail: rohr{at}hygiene.ruhr-uni-bochum.de.

Appl Environ Microbiol, May 1998, p. 1822-1824, Vol. 64, No. 5
0099-2240/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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