DETECTION OF LEGIONELLA SPP. IN THE SWIMMING POOLS IN THE AREA OF CENTRAL BOSNIA CANTON
DETECTION OF LEGIONELLA SPP. IN THE SWIMMING POOLS IN THE AREA OF CENTRAL BOSNIA CANTON

Summary/Abstract: Legionella bacteria are microorganisms found in water and moist soil. They are especially favoured by moisture and heat, especially in different types of swimming pools where these bacteria reproduce and survive even for several months. Legionella spp. cause human diseases if they are introduced into the body through the respiratory tract. This most often happens by inhalation of aerosols, and less often by microaspiration of water contaminated with Legionella. The research aims to examine the presence of Legionella spp. bacteria in pool waters and the factors that influence their maintenance in these waters. Water samples were taken from 13 swimming pools that were registered for swimming and recreation in the Central Bosnian Canton in 2022. The presence of legionella was tested, and temperature, pH values (method BAS EN ISO 10523:2013), and residual chlorine concentrations were measured. The temperature was measured by immersing the probe with a calibrated thermometer until the stabilization of temperature values on the display was reached. The free residual chlorine was measured by the standard colourimetric technique – the N, N-diethylphenylenediamine method (HANNA Instruments 96701, Rhode Island, USA). Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test will be used for data analysis. Statistical analysis of the obtained data will be performed using the basic functions of MS Excel and GraphPad Prism. Of the total number of analyzed samples (n = 13), the presence of legionella was confrmed in 4 samples (31 %). The average water temperature of the samples taken was 30.21 0C and the average residual chlorine value was 0.43 mg/L, while the average pH value in the tested water samples was 6.48. There is a significant statistical difference in temperature, free residual chlorine concentration, and pH value with the presence of Legionella spp. The correlation between water temperature and the number of isolated bacteria was negative, i.e. as the water temperature increases, the number of isolated bacteria decreases. The correlation between residual chlorine and isolated bacteria indicates that there is a moderate negative association between these two variables. The presence of Legionella spp. in the pools in the investigated area is evident. The values of temperature, residual chlorine, and pH values that positively affect its growth and reproduction. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, it is important to regularly monitor and test the hygienic correctness of pool water, including the detection of Legionella.

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