Phigenics announces a peer-reviewed research paper, "Inaccuracies of the ISO 11731 Method for Environmental Validation of Legionella in Building Water Systems: Opportunities to Improve Sensitivity and Detect Viable but Non-Culturable Legionella," published in the "Clinical and Environmental Surveillance for the Prevention of Legionellosis" Issue of Microorganisms Journal. The data presented in this paper comprises a large-scale field study that highlights deficiencies of ISO 1173. The study found a 21% discrepancy comparing the ISO 11731 spread plate method to the novel method, PVT VIABLE (Phigenics Validation Test- Viability Identification Assay by Legionella Enrichment.
WARRENVILLE, Ill., Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Phigenics announces a peer-reviewed research paper, "Inaccuracies of the ISO 11731 Method for Environmental Validation of Legionella in Building Water Systems: Opportunities to Improve Sensitivity and Detect Viable but Non-Culturable Legionella," published in the "Clinical and Environmental Surveillance for the Prevention of Legionellosis" Issue of Microorganisms Journal.
The data presented in this paper comprises a large-scale field study that highlights deficiencies of ISO 11731. These deficiencies are especially true for monochloraminated building water systems, where most inaccuracies are found. Monochloraminated systems have been found to induce the VBNC state in Legionella bacteria. Unlike ISO 11731, PVT VIABLE can detect VBNC Legionella, which has been shown to be pathogenic after resuscitation.
The study found a 21% discrepancy comparing the ISO 11731 spread plate method to the novel method, PVT VIABLE® (Phigenics Validation Test- Viability Identification Assay by Legionella Enrichment). PVT VIABLE® is a patent-pending method developed by Phigenics that detects viable Legionella bacteria found in building water systems in as little as 72 hours, as opposed to the 7-14 day turnaround time of the ISO 11731 method. The process utilizes the accuracy of PCR and the dependability of enrichment culture in a hybrid assay to detect viable and viable but non-culturable (VBNC) Legionella in a water sample.
Author and inventor Leah Wickenberg states, "Until now, Legionella has been known to exist in the VBNC state, but detection methods were cumbersome. This publication highlights the need to include VBNC Legionella in developing water management programs and provides an accurate way to validate that hazardous conditions are being controlled."
Phigenics is hosting a free webinar on November 8th for regulatory authorities, epidemiologists, and quality and infection control professionals to learn more about this study and PVT VIABLE®.
For a full copy of "Inaccuracies of the ISO 11731 Method for Environmental Validation of Legionella in Building Water Systems: Opportunities to Improve Sensitivity and Detect Viable but Non-Culturable Legionella" published in Microorganisms or to obtain more information on Legionnaires' disease and Legionella testing services, go to
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/11/1/94.
Media Contact
Kellen Utecht, Phigenics, 1-844-850-408, [email protected], https://info.phigenics.com/
SOURCE Phigenics
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