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What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa

With the news about the outbreaks of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, our company microbiologist, Pat Reynolds explains the facts behind Pseudomonas aeruginosa and some solutions on how to deal with it.

What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Pseudomonas is a family of bacteria and within that group, there are several sub species.

In my experience they were always found in association with water. As a microbiologist, I would routinely find large numbers in carbon filters, cooling towers, drinking water dispensers and even bottled water, so it is of no surprise that according to the latest media reports, the source of the hospital infections has been identified as the water taps.

Technically, they are Gram negative rod shaped, motile bacteria (Not virus) and very easily identifiable under the microscope. They will grow on TVC media or specific Pseudomonas media. The subspecies can be identified using differential media techniques.

In the past I have found that TVC results from water samples had high proportion Psuedomonads when colonies were typed. They typically cause the distinctive sour smell in damp dishcloths and would be found in large numbers in biofilms in tanks, pipes etc. This is the slime or biofilm that can be felt by hand in contaminated water systems. It is this slime that can make systems difficult to disinfect.

Most of the subspecies are benign and cause no health risks. However there is a Subspecies called Pseudomonas aeroguinosa that has been shown to be an opportunistic pathogen which can cause ear and eye infections in, for example, untreated pool and spa baths or infections in open wounds or burns. The infection will typically occur in people who are immuno-suppressed, such as cancer, HIV and patients.

It’s important to say that various water treatments available for example, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ultraviolet, copper silver ionisation, ozone etc., if suitably controlled, will reduce levels considerably but may not eliminate the bacteria.

Before the big freeze arrives

Before the big freeze arrives

With another big freeze due this winter, now is the time to start protecting your water systems. You may already have glycol (antifreeze) added to your closed loop systems, however as may found to their peril last year in the feezing conditions in Scotland, it is essential to check that the glycol levels are sufficient within the system to withstand the forecasted temperature drops.

At HBE Risk Management, we recommend that your system has a minimum of 10% glycol which will protect you to a temperature of -5C, however with the freezing conditions forecasted, dependent upon your situation, we would suggest you consider protecting your system to -15C.

At HBE, we can help you with the following:

• Initial surveys of closed loop systems to determine the water chemistry and from that decide on an appropriate plan of action;
• Supply of both propylene & monoethylene glycol;
• Dosing the chemical into the system.

If you require any further information or help, please contact your local HBE office or email info@hberm.com

Image courtesy of Freeimages.co.uk

HBE Leads the way into the UK

HBE leads the way into the UK market

HBE Risk Management have won a prestigious legionella management contract for Lancaster University.

Graham Maze, HBE’s Sales Manager explained "We are delighted to have won such a major contract in the UK.  Lancaster had developed a very detailed specification and have a clear vision of the quality levels they want from their supplier.  We are extremely pleased to have met the University’s stringent requirements against competitors from across the UK, and feel honoured that Lancaster has entrusted its campus water control measures, which impact on staff, students and visitors, to HBE.

It is clear that our philosophy of uncompromising quality combined with our use of technology to ensure our clients maintain their compliance standards, have served us well and that companies appreciate the ability to be able to use a single trusted supplier for all their compliance needs."

HBE is based in Edinburgh and operates throughout the UK. This and other contracts will create new employment opportunities in key areas throughout the UK and Ireland for both qualified consultants and experienced technicians.
 

When monitoring is king

When monitoring becomes more important than the risk assessment

When your best defence is proactive legionella management, why do so many organisations just rely on the risk assessment when questions are asked?

According to L8, there is a statutory requirement to undertake a risk assessment and to implement a suitable control programme to manage the risk. It is the second part which is unfortunately open to the interpretation as we ask what a fit for purpose control programme is. Simon French, a leading authority on Legionella advises that your log books and monitoring records are your best defence.  This is especially true when you have an issue. Regular monitoring is essential as it will ensure that you catch any unusual counts, therefore reducing your risk of an outbreak, as seen in Scotland last year. With budget pressures, many organisations believe that it is enough to just dose the system with chemicals – the apparent “belt and braces” approach.

Unfortunately, like antibiotics, chemical dosing can eventually lose its effectiveness and there is clear evidence that legionella bacteria are surviving in systems dosed with chlorine dioxide and also in temperatures higher than 60C.

With evidence of this becoming more widespread, HBE Risk Management are already working with their clients to consider alternative solutions such as Copper and Silver Ionisation. Indeed both copper and silver have been applied for centuries because of their biocidal mechanisms. When an low voltage electric current is applied, positive copper and silver ions are created and disinfect the water flowing between the copper and silver terminals.

Copper-Silver Ionisation has already been installed in over 120 hospitals throughout the UK to help control legionella, when other solutions have failed.

For more information on how Copper-Silver Ionisation could help you, contact your local HBE Office or email info@hberm.com