News / Health & Wellness
EDLab Joins CDC Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) Program
EDLab will participate in the CDC study. “We are honored and very excited join the CDC ELITE program.” stated Dr Rajiv Sahay, Director of EDLab “We expect the results of the study to help us understand the environmental distribution of the different strains of this species and how those strains may impact the epidemiology of the disease.”
Tampa, FL – According to CDC, each year an estimated 8,000-18,000 cases of Legionnaires’ Disease occur in the U.S. with fatality rates between 5 to 40%. Of those who survive, there are often serious long term health consequences after recovery. Legionnaires’ Disease is caused by the inhalation of aerosolized water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It is an illness that is completely preventable provided routine monitoring and maintenance of potable water and cooling tower water systems are conducted.
Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 accounts for roughly 90% of legionellosis reported in North America.
Recent advances in DNA sequence based typing (SBT) of strains have demonstrated that many fall into closely related sequence types. Because most of CDC’s strains are associated with outbreaks, it is unknown whether the prevalence of these sequence types is due to hypervirulence, over-representation in nature or other factors. CDC research seeks to survey the sequence types of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 strains not associated with disease which are present at different locations and different seasons across North America to understand their normal distribution in the environment.
Although Legionella spp. live in a wide variety of freshwater habitats, they can be difficult to isolate.
Culture and enumeration of Legionella from environmental sources involves several steps including concentration of the bacteria, resuspension, selective pre-treatments, and the use of complex media. Use of a suitable isolation protocol is critical for determining whether Legionella are present in a sample and at what concentration. The Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) Program was created as a way for laboratories to test their Legionella isolation techniques against standardized samples. Participating labs receive a panel of lyophilized test samples biannually. The test samples are divided between Legionella positive or negative and may be mixed with other organisms commonly found in water. After reconstituting the test samples, participants process them according to their protocols and report their results. Labs that correctly identify Legionella from the test samples in two consecutive panels receive a certificate of proficiency and are listed as ELITE Members. ELITE Program Members also have access to individualized performance reports, the latest CDC policies and guidelines, and CDC staff scientists to help optimize isolation procedures.
EDLab will participate in the CDC study. “We are honored and very excited join the CDC ELITE program.” stated Dr Rajiv Sahay, Director of EDLab “We expect the results of the study to help us understand the environmental distribution of the different strains of this species and how those strains may impact the epidemiology of the disease.”
For more information on legionella testing services and products provided by EDLab please call 1-800-422-7873 ext 804.
About Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDLab):
The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) (established in 1992) at Pure Air Control Services (PACS) is an AIHA accredited environmental lab # EMLAP 102795 offering complete and comprehensive indoor environmental microbiology laboratory services. They include: microbiology, aerobiology, chemistry, allergen assays and microscopy designed to meet all your indoor air needs. EDLab supports IAQ investigations by assisting with strategic sampling plan development and supplying media collection equipment while performing a wide range of environmental analyses.
The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA);US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; US Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services/EDLab the reliable industry leader in IAQ.
For more information on EDLab at Pure Air Services, Inc. please contact Ed Ziegler, VP, at (800) 422-7873 (800) 422-7873 x 804, or visit http://www.edlab.org/.
