Mold Bacteria Consulting Services

Serving Ontario and British Columbia

You are here: Home / Archives for Bacteria

What’s The Chance Of Getting A Positive Result For Legionella Tests?

Legionella Tests Question: Hi, I am a student working on an environmental research project on Legionella tests. I’m considering to have some water sample tested for Legionella species especially Legionella pneumophila. From your experience, what is the chance of getting a positive result for the Legionella tests? How much does the tests cost, for both PCR and culturable methods?

Thank you for your attention.

Answer: Legionella species are ubiquitous in natural and artificial water environments worldwide. They survive in a wide range of environmental conditions. Chances of getting positive results for Legionella tests from water depends on the following:

  • The Source of water. Legionella species thrive at temperatures between 20 °C and 50 °C. Therefore, the bacteria are rarely found in municipal water supplies. They tend to colonize warm water systems and point-of-use devices, particularly hot-water systems.
  • Isolation method. Legionella species are usually a very minor component of the total bacterial population in environmental samples and are rarely present in high numbers. Thus, it’s possible to get negative Legionella tests results if the bacteria in the sample were not concentrated prior to analysis.
  • Concentration: Legionella may be present in concentrations too low to be detected using culture methods.
Legionella tests
Legionella test

The cost of Legionella tests depends on the level of identification required. There are many labs that carry out Legionella tests but some if not most are not accredited.  To minimize false-positive results for Legionella tests, it’s important to use a qualified accredited laboratory.

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) performs several Legionella tests every year. Currently we use cultural methods for Legionella identification. We’re accredited by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) to ISO/IEC 17025:2005. MBL is also certified in the analysis of Legionella bacteria by the prestigious Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) program of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For pricing please call 905-290-9101 in Ontario.

Health Hazards in Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas

Pools, hot tubs and spas occasionally get contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium avium, Streptococcus and Salmonella. These bacteria are known to cause serious diseases in humans such as infection of the skin, eyes, ears, hair follicles, intestines and urinary tract.

More serious illnesses are the Legionaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever acquired from inhaling airborne Legionella cells. This occurs when Legionella becomes airborne by way of aerosol mists produced in spas and hot tubs.

Legionella bacteria are able to survive in low temperatures, but thrive at temperatures between 20oC and 45oC. Legionella cannot survive at temperatures of 60oC and above.

Am I A Victim Of Dampness, Mould And Bacterial Infection?

Question: I’ve always been a fit and healthy individual at the age now of 32! Two years ago I moved from a bedsit, into an apartment (ground floor), during my residence here. I discovered horrible black stained walls, and it seems to be multiplying! Ever since I have lived here, I have noticed a change in my appearance. My skin seems to be dry and flakey. My nose seems to be blocked, my throat feels like something is stuck in it, and I seem to be looking paler in the face and find breathing very difficult. Also I am getting pains in my chest (heart area) and in my back!! Now I am concerned about this! Am I a victim of dampness, mould and bacterial infection?

Many thanks!

Answer: My suggestion is that you consult with your doctor regarding your condition. If possible you may also consider moving out of your current apartment. Damp conditions and mould are known to cause various illnesses. For more information read the answer to a similar question: Could Mold Be Making Us Sick?

Are The Small White Spheres Specific To One Bacteria?

Question: In your article “Significance Of Airborne Bacteria In Indoor Environments” there is a picture of bacterial growth in a culture dish. Could you tell me whether the small white spheres are specific to one bacteria or is a common presentation for many types?

Answer: The white spheres could be representing one type of bacterium or different types of bacteria. However, bacteria colonies will differ in size, texture and color. Description of a bacteria colony includes its shape, the margins or edges of the colony, the colony’s color, as well as surface texture. Some bacteria have their colonies round and smooth, others can have wavy edges and a wrinkled appearance. Differentiating bacteria based on the appearance of their colonies is unreliable, but an essential first step in isolating the different types of bacteria in a sample. Similarly bacteria cells differ in shape and size. Four of the common shapes of bacteria cells are cocci (spherical), rods, vibrio (comma shaped) and spiral.

Legionella Training Course

Legionella Training Course – MBL has developed a practical Legionella training course specifically for those involved in the management and control of Legionella including health and safety managers, engineers, building and facilities managers, and water treatment professionals.

Our professional Legionella training course examines a range of Legionella related issues including:

  • Legionella: Terms, Definitions and General Facts.
  • History of Legionnaires’
    disease.
  • Potable Water Systems & Methods of Disinfection.
  • Cooling Towers: Water Treatment & Legionella
  • Cooling Tower Guidelines and Legionella
  • Statutory and advisory regulations
    (based around Health Canada).
  • Legionella risk assessments.
  • Legionella Sampling and Testing
  • Appropriate precautionary measures.
  • Practical implementation of a structured risk management system.

For more details about the course, please call 905-290-9101

Salmonella food poisoning and symptoms

Salmonella food poisoning has been a growing concern in recent news. It has frequently lead to recalls of beef, salads and organic products and, even peanut butter products. Salmonella food poisoning occurs when one eats raw or undercooked foods such meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. Properly cooked food can get contaminated with Salmonella if […]

Legionella pneumophila – Guidelines for Laboratory Interpretation

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram negative, aerobic bacteria that is characterized as an opportunistic pathogen. It is the cause of Legionnaires’ Disease, a severe form of pneumonia and, it is the cause of Pontiac fever, a non-pneumonic form of L. pneumophila infection. Legionella spp.’s mode of transmission is through aerosols or aspiration of contaminated water. The Public Health […]

The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

The mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. […]