Prevalence of Legionella and the relationship with heterotrophic(HPC) bacteria in public spas

This study was to determine the prevalence of Legionella species in public spas and to know that the presence of Legionella was correlated with other microbiological parameters. A total of 81 water samples were collected from 30 different public spas and sudatoriums so called zzimzilbang in Korea. Although Legionella was not detected in the influent water and the cold tub water, of the 38 samples of hot and warm water taken from public tubs, 11(28.8%) were found to be positive for Legionella spp. All of the isolates were identified as a species L. pneumophila serogroups 1 and 2-14 by latex agglutination. And HPC concentrations in all spas water isolated Legionella were above the level of $10^4\;cfu/ml$.