AEM Accepts, published online ahead of print on 19 January 2007

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Appl. Environ. Microbiol. doi:10.1128/AEM.02191-06
Copyright (c) 2007, American Society for Microbiology and/or the Listed Authors/Institutions. All Rights Reserved.

Risk factors for Legionella species contamination of hotel water distribution systems

Varvara Mouchtouri, Emmanuel Velonakis, Andreas Tsakalof, Christina Kapoula, Georgia Goutziana, Alkiviadis Vatopoulos, Jenny Kremastinou, and Christos Hadjichristodoulou^*

Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Department of Public Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Department of Microbiology, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: xhatzi{at}med.uth.gr.

Legionella colonization frequency at 385 Greek hotel hot and cold water distribution systems was 20.8%. Legionella contamination was associated with the presence of oil heater (OR=2.04, 95%CI=1.12-3.70), sample temperature (OR=0.26, 95%CI=0.1-0.5), seasonal operation (OR=3.23, 95%CI=1.52-6.87), and presence of independent disinfection system (OR=0.30, 95%CI=0.15-0.62). Same levels of water temperature, free chlorine, and pH affect differently the survival of various Legionella spp.

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