Determining Viable Legionella - Phigenics Validation Test
The Phigenics Validation Test is a new field method for the quantitative determination
of viable
Legionella and total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria. The method
has been proven reliable for determining viable cell concentrations of
Legionella
pneumophila,
Legionella species and total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria.
In comparison to standard methods, the new protocol has been shown to be more accurate,
faster and more convenient.
The Issue
Currently, measurement of viable
Legionella and other bacteria using standard
culture methods require shipment of water samples to an analytical laboratory. The
results typically take 12-14 days which can leave facilities in a holding pattern.
The shipment of water samples can cause unpredictable changes: In some water samples,
viable bacteria increase during transit and in other samples they decrease. When
the facility receives their
Legionella results, these challenges can make
interpretation and decision-making difficult.
The Solution
The patents pending Phigenics Validation Test (PVT) completely eliminates the need
to ship water samples, thereby giving more reliable data about the water system.
The PVT is a field sampling protocol to obtain viable cell counts (CFU/ml) for the
following:
- Total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria
- Legionella pneumophila (serogroup 1 and serogroups 2-14)
- All non-pneumophila Legionella species
Data is obtained for the exact moment when the PVT field sampler contacts the water
sample
- Shipment of water samples to laboratory is not required
- Time required to obtain results is reduced 75-80% compared to the Standard Method
for Legionella.
Test results including quantitative viable cell counts, digital photographs of the
field samplers and authenticity labels are emailed to the facility, typically within
2-3 days of sampling. The PVT validates under operating conditions in the field
that bacterial hazards in water have been eliminated, reduced or prevented from
harming people (Principle 7 in Hazard Analysis and Control)
The Benefits
Compared to the Standard Methods for total bacteria and
Legionella, the PVT
is:
- More Accurate, because water samples are not compromised during shipment to the
laboratory.
- Faster, because transit time is not wasted and microcolonies are enumerated directly
on the PVT field samplers.
- More Convenient, because results for total bacteria AND Legionella bacteria
are obtained and archived by the Phigenics Analytical Services Laboratory in a standardized
protocol for future reference.
More Information…
If you are interested in how the PVT can address the safety of water systems in
your facility, please contact Phigenics (630-717-7546).