Abstract:
Legionnaire’s disease affects humans causing mild to severe pneumonia,
particularly in immune-compromised individuals. The aim of this study was to
identify the causative agent and to determine the frequency of Legionella
pneumophila in potential water samples collected from various environmental
sources in Khartoum State, Sudan.
A total of 120 samples were collected from different hospital settings during April
to August 2012. Bacteriological examination of collected environmental water
samples was performed to isolate legionella pneumophila by inoculation on
buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) agar. Several biochemical tests including;
sodium hippurate, catalase, oxidase tests and gelatin liquefaction were further
carried to confirm the identification. Antibiotic and beta-lactamase testing were
done to detect resistance or susceptibility.
Out of 120 water samples; 8 (6.7 %) Legionella pneumophila isolates were
recovered from water environment in air conditions, shower heads and water
coolers for the first time in Sudan. The organism was demonstrated as a beta-
lactamase producer resistant to ampicillin and penicillin but susceptible to
gentamicin, chloramphenicol and erythromycin.
This study concluded that legionella pneumophila exists in the environment in
Sudan. As an important environment water pathogen, it is vital to initiate further
research work with many samples to isolate and identify the organism from
different water and food sources to assess prevalence and implications.
