[Isolation of Legionella and free-living amoebae at hot spring spas in Kanagawa, Japan]

Microbiological contamination of hot spring bath water is a public health concern. A province-wide survey was carried out to determine the extent and distribution of both Legionella and free-living amoebae contamination. Among 30 samples of hot spring bath from 12 sites in Kanagawa, Japan, L. pneumophila was detected in 21 water samples from 11 sites, ranging from 10(1)-10(3) CFU/100 ml. Serogroups 3, 5 and 6 of L. pneumophila were predominantly isolated from the samples. Naegleria (46.7%), Platyamoeba (33.3%), Acanthamoeba (10.0%) and 2 other genera of free-living amoebae were detected in 22 samples from 11 sites. One or more genera of host amoebae of Legionella occurred in 17 samples (56.7%) from 9 sites. Another thing to be noted is that 13 water samples contained N. lovaniensis. Although N. lovaniensis is nonpathogenic, it is considered an indicator organism for places that are suitable for the growth of N. fowleri, a causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in man.