Legionella pneumophila in Rainwater on Roads

During rain, transient puddles form on roads, and this water is splashed into the air by moving vehicles. To determine whether this water contains Legionella pneumophila, we collected samples from roads. We found that L. pneumophila are abundant in these puddles, especially during warm weather.

During rain, transient puddles form on roads, and this water is splashed into the air by moving vehicles. To determine whether this water contains Legionella pneumophila, we collected samples from roads. We found that L. pneumophila are abundant in these puddles, especially during warm weather.
L egionella pneumophila bacteria are a major cause of severe community-acquired pneumonia; in recent years the numbers of reported cases of legionellosis have increased substantially where testing is available (e.g., United States, Europe, Japan). However, the source and mode of transmission for sporadic cases are often obscure. Several studies have indicated an association between rain and legionellosis (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). We recently reported a case of legionellosis in a commercial truck driver in Japan who became infected during the rainy season (6,7). No particular environmental risk factors were noted, although he had certain host risk factors such as middle age (mid 50s) and heavy smoking. All specimens collected from his home environment had negative L. pneumophila culture growth.
In this study, we investigated the prevalence of L. pneumophila in puddles on asphalt roads. Our hypothesis was that after rain L. pneumophila grows prolifically in puddles on asphalt roads and can be spread by moving cars, which may increase the amount of organism in the environment.

The Study
From July through October 2007, we collected 45 samples of rainwater from 4 points on 1 asphalt road in Tokyo, Japan. After rainfall, 100-mL water samples were suctioned from road surfaces into sterile syringes and then stored in sterile bottles. Also, sterile flat containers were placed beside the roads for 1 day so that raindrops were collected directly. Swabs from roads were also collected when it was sunny. Meteorologic data for the sample collection dates were obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency. Water samples were concentrated and mixed with equal volumes of 0.2 M KCl-HCl buffer (pH 2.2). The mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 15 min before being spread onto WYOα plates (Eiken Chemical Co., Tokyo, Japan). The plates were then incubated for at least 7 days. Smooth colonies that were grayish white or gray-blue-purple were subcultured on Legionella agar (Becton-Dickinson, Mountain View, CA, USA) supplemented with l-cysteine and ferric pyrophosphate and on nutrient agar (Eiken Chemical co.). Colonies that grew on only Legionella agar were subsequently identified by PCR.
We took samples from puddles at 18 points as a primary survey. Simultaneously, as fixed-point observations, we set 4 points on a road and collected samples when puddles were formed. In the primary survey, L. pneumophila were detected by culture in 7 of 18 samples taken from puddles. Acanthamoeba spp. were detected by PCR in 4 of 18 puddles. L. pneumophila were not detected by culture of swab samples obtained from asphalt surfaces on sunny days, although they were detected in 2 of 12 samples tested by the LAMP method. Acanthamoeba spp. were also detected by PCR from 2 of 12 swab samples (Table). In the fixed-point observations, 16 (35.6%) of 45 puddle samples were positive by culture. According to serogroup typing of 150 strains of L. pneumophila isolated, the most prevalent serogroup was serogroup 1 (n = 56 [37.3%]) (Table). L. pneumophila were detected by culture in 3 (15.8%) of 19 samples from puddles when mean temperature was <20°C, in 6 (42.9%) of 14 samples when mean temperature was 20°C-25°C, and in 7 (58.3%) of 12 samples when mean temperature was >25°C (p = 0.043) (Figure 1). With regard to molecular typing by repetitive-element PCR, organisms of lanes 1-5 were all detected on the same day in the same puddle and identified as L. pneumophila serogroup 1. Although lanes 1-3 appeared to have different patterns, lanes 1 and 4 and lanes 3 and 5 appeared indistinguishable (Figure 2).
Isolation of L. pneumophila in puddles of rainwater on asphalt roads indicates that the organisms may be spread from wet roads into the air by moving vehicles. Thacker et al. reported an outbreak of legionellosis after a heavy rainstorm (1). In our study, L. pneumophila were not isolated by culture of direct rainwater samples or of swabs collected from road surfaces on sunny days, but they were detected in these 2 sample types by the LAMP method. Factors known to support colonization of L. pneumophila are humidity, stagnation, scales (residues, deposits), sediments, and temperature (12). When L. pneumophila are exposed to unsuitable conditions, it changes its metabolism to reduce growth activity and remains viable but not culturable. Acanthamoeba castellanii have been shown to resuscitate L. pneumophila in this viable but nonculturable state (13). We identified Acanthamoeba spp. by PCR from raindrops and from swabs of asphalt pavement surface on sunny days. In a previous study, we demonstrated that at temperatures >25ºC, L. pneumophila could replicate in amebae and that at temperature <20ºC, amebae digested L. pneumophila and eliminated them through the process of encystation (14). It is possible that L. pneumophila are in a viable but nonculturable state in raindrops in the air or that they survive on asphalt on sunny days and return to a proliferative state in rainwater on asphalt roads, especially during warm weather.
L. pneumophila may be splashed from puddles into surrounding air. In this regard, Fisman et al. identified an association between legionellosis and precipitation (odds ratio 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-3.12) and increased humidity (odds ratio per 1% increase in relative humidity 1.08, 95% CI 1.05-1.11) 6-10 days before identification of infected patients (3). Hicks et al. reported that a 1-cm increase in rainfall was associated with a 2.6% (risk ratio 1.026, 95% CI 1.012-1.040) rise in incidence of legionellosis (4). The increase in reported legionellosis patients may result partly from growth of L. pneumophila in puddles on roads, although the possibility of an increase in L. pneumophila in tap water after rain cannot be excluded. Because airborne L. pneumophila can survive longer at high relative humidity (15), after rain the organism may be sprayed into the air and increase both on the ground and in the air.

Conclusions
The frequent presence of L. pneumophila in puddles of rainwater on asphalt roads, especially during warm weather, indicates the possibility of frequent contact with L. pneumophila-containing aerosols. To decrease illness and death from legionellosis, community physicians should consider the possibility of legionellosis for pneumonia patients, even those who had not traveled or visited spa fa-   cilities, especially during warm, rainy weather. To prevent legionellosis, persons must consider their risk factors; L. pneumophila may be more ubiquitous than previously thought.
Dr Sakamoto is a medical doctor and a researcher at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. His field of specialization is public health, especially legionellosis.