Enquête Epidémiologique sur la Légionellose et Prévalence de Legionella pneumophila dans Les Eaux Chaudes Sanitaires au Maroc

Legionellosis is a human respiratory disease caused by Legionella that thrive in natural and artificial aquatic environment. Strategies to prevent the transmission of Legionella based on clinical and environmental monitoring. The aim of this study focuses on the development of a technical on the ground investigation, which will be expanded later by a large study, identifying the prevalence of Legionella in ecological networks of production and distribution of hot water. To achieve this, 40 samples collected from hot water distribution systems of thirty four hotels and six homes in Morocco. The samples were analyzed for the presence and counts of Legionella pneumophila. Results indicated that Legionella pneumophila was detected in 32.5% of total samples analyzed, 62% of samples contained bacteria above the maximum limits established by the regulatory standards. The study showed that Legionella pneumophila was detected in 29% samples in hotels, and confirmed serogroups 2-15 and 1, in 60 and 40% of those samples, respectively. When in water distribution homes system, Legionella pneumophila was isolated in 50% of samples and confirmed serogroup 1, all samples contained bacteria below the maximum limits established by the regulatory standards. The epidemiological investigation showed two confirmed cases of Legionellosis. The results of this work should encourage the authorities to try to elaborate surveillance and preventive actions for monitoring of Legionella diseases in Morocco.