Elsanousi R.M.A^1,, Elsanousi S.M.²

This study was designed to detect the prevalence of Legionella pneumophila in evaporative coolers air conditioners in Khartoum State. A total of 525 water samples were collected from water reservoirs of air conditioning systems in the three main cities of Khartoum State (Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North) in the period between March – October, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The premises from which the samples were collected were divided into five categories: universities, schools, hospitals, offices and houses (35 samples for each category in the three cities, with a total of 175 samples for each city). Legionella species were isolated from 222 (42.3%) out of the total samples taken from Khartoum State, which were divided as follows: 75 (33.8%) from Omdurman, 74 (33.3%) from Khartoum North and 73 (32.9%) from Khartoum. Regarding the premises categories, 58 (55.2%) were from hospitals, 52 (49.5%) from offices, 41 (39%) from schools, 38 (36.2%) from houses and 33 (31.4%) from universities were positive for Legionella spp. The highest prevalence rate of Legionella spp was found in hospitals (55.2%), followed by offices (49.5%), schools (39%), houses (36.2%) and universities (31.4%).

Legionella pneumophila, evaporative coolers air conditioners, water samples