Detection of legionella pneumophila in water of some stations on highway roads to makkah

The highway roads leading to Makkah are used by thousands of pilgrims every year because of the location of holy sites as a result of which the water running in restaurants located on these highways is largely consumed. This water is susceptible to be contaminated by Legionella pneumophila, a pathogenic bacterium that causes pneumonic illness called Legionaries disease, which affects the respiratory system. This study investigated the presence of pathogenic species of Legionella especially L .pneumophila in roadside water on way to Makkah. A total of 19 water samples were collected from different sites. Parameters like colony count, biochemical tests for isolation, ability to grow in different pH ranges, effect of iron concentration and antibiotic susceptibility of the bacterium were tested. Bacterial isolates were found in water samples except for three samples that were heated at 55°C for 15 min. In all water samples pH value ranged from 8.9 to 8.2 except for one sample which was 3.3. Colonies were most susceptible to Rifampicin. Water was found to be contaminated by L. pneumophila with specific characteristics. Hence, by using sanitation and clean water systems, pilgrims especially elderly people who have chronic diseases and weak immune exhibition of injury could be protected from getting infected by L. pneumophila