Simultaneous detection of Legionella species and Legionella pneumophila by duplex PCR (dPCR) assay in cooling tower water samples from Jakarta, Indonesia

Aim: since culture method is time-consuming and has low sensitivity, we developed a duplex pcr (dpcr) assay for the detection of legionella sp. and l. pneumophila in cooling tower samples. we used culture method as a gold standard. methods: optimization of dpcr method was performed to obtain an assay with high sensitivity and specificity. the optimized method was used to detect legionella sp. dan l. pneumophila in 9 samples obtained from 9 buildings in jakarta. for culture method, the bacteria were grown or isolated on selective growth factor supplemented-buffered charcoal yeast extract (bcye) media. results: of 9 samples tested by dpcr assay, 6 were positive for legionella species,1 was positive for l. pneumophila, and 2 showed negative results. for the same samples, no legionella sp. was detected by the culture method. conclusion: dpcr assay was much more sensitive than the culture method and was potentially used as a rapid, specific and sensitive test for routine detection of legionella sp. dan for l. pneumophila in water samples. (med j indones 2010; 19:223-7)