World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Scientists find rapid test for legionella

GERMANY: Researchers at the Technical University of Munich claim to have developed a rapid test for legionnaires’ disease.

In the event of an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease, finding the exact source as quickly as possible is essential to preventing further infections. Until now, a detailed analysis has taken days. The new rapid test developed by the team from Munich University can provide the same result in about 35 minutes.

Similar to a paternity test, the origin of the outbreak is confirmed when the germs in the process water of a system exactly match those identified in the patient. However, often numerous systems must be tested in the process, and the requisite cultivation for the test takes around ten days.

Faster detection with antibodies

There is already a rapid test for detecting the legionella pathogen in the clinic by identifying compounds of legionella in the urine of patients. “Unfortunately, this quick test serves only as a first indication and is not suitable for screening the water of technical systems,” said PD Dr Michael Seidel, head of the research group at the chair of analytical chemistry and water chemistry of the Technical University of Munich.

The team of scientists have developed a measuring chip that not only detects the dangerous pathogen legionella pneumophila but also identifies which of the approximately 20 subtypes is present.

Using 20 different antibodies, the system provides a complete analysis within 34 minutes.

“Compared to previous measurements, the new method not only provides a huge speed advantage, but is also so cheap that we can use the chip in one-time applications,” Seidel added.

The system can be deployed for environmental hygiene as well as clinical diagnostics. In combination with a second, DNA-based method, the system can even distinguish between dead and living legionella pathogens. This allows the success of disinfection measures to be monitored.

The project participants will present their system to the public for the first time at the Analytica 2018 trade fair in Munich in April.

Latest News

14th February 2025

Two convicted of R22 refrigerant smuggling

USA: Two men have been convicted for separate instances of smuggling R22 refrigerant into the USA from Mexico.
14th February 2025

REHVA and ASHRAE extend co-operation

USA: REHVA, the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations, took advantage of this week’s ASHRAE winter meeting to renew its partnership with the US-based organisation.
14th February 2025

Manage Panasonic heat pumps in cascade

UK: Panasonic is launching its new Cascade Manager, Aquarea Cascade Edge, including P-Smart Edge and P-Smart Nexus. 
14th February 2025

Eurovent calls for recognition of HVACR sector

BELGIUM: The European manufacturers' group Eurovent is calling for the recognition of the HVACR sector in the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and related policies, to preserve the industry's competitiveness.
14th February 2025

Swegon acquires American Geothermal 

SWEDEN/USA: Swegon has signed an agreement to acquire American Geothermal, a US manufacturer of heat pumps and chillers for the concrete industry and commercial HVAC sectors.
14th February 2025

China’s HFC emissions more than 20% of global total

CHINA: Figures claiming that China’s emissions of high GWP refrigerants now represent more than 20% of the global total have been described as untenable by the Environmental Investigation Agency.