Legionella research in water resources in the safe zone of Syria

Legionella, one of the atypical pneumonia agents, in the safe zone of North Syria. Therefore, in this study, water samples were collected from sources in the safe region of North Syria and investigated for Legionella. The study is important as it is the first study to determine Legionella species in this region. There are 24 mosques, 22 camps, 1 vocational school and 1 bakery in the center of Jarablus. In addition, there are 35 villages and 22 camps in the town of Jarablus. In the study, 100 water samples were collected between 27.10.2022 and 30.11.2022 from 1 vocational school, 1 bakery, 4 mosques, and 2 village wells, Jarablus central well, Euphrates river and Main reservoirs. Each time, 10-15 samples were collected and delivered to the laboratory on the same day, following the cold chain with special permission. After the samples were centrifuged and the supernatant was discarded, they were inoculated into CV Legionella Selective Medium (Becton Dickinson, Germany). The cultured media were incubated at 36 degrees for one week. Gram staining procedures were applied to the suspicious colonies that grew. After examining the morphology of the bacteria, Legionella Dryspot Latex agglutination test (Oxoid, UK) was applied. Legionella bacteria grew in ten of the collected 100 samples. When typified by the latex agglutination test, it was determined that the bacteria that grew were Legionella pneumophila with serogroup (2-14). Serogroup 1 was not detected in any of the water samples. In this study, Legionella bacteria were isolated and serogroups were determined in the waters of institutions such as schools and mosques in the safe zone of North Syria. However, more extensive research and molecular biological studies are required to identify phenotypes with epidemiological significance. In addition, the water tanks of all buildings, including the water sources of the districts, should be investigated and the necessary disinfection processes should be carried out regularly.