“A new study of domestic and hospital drinking water systems found Legionella in 41% of samples—with Flinders University researchers
making a key connection between the pathogen's co-existence with a "host" microorganism in all samples tested.
The study found Legionella bacteria "infect the amoeba host and then once inside these hosts are protected from disinfection strategies," says Harriet Whiley."
Researchers tested for Legionella and its likely amoebae hosts in 140 samples of water or biofilm (the slime found on showerheads and end of faucets)
to understand how the potentially dangerous bacterium
colonizes and proliferates in both domestic and hospital plumbing and poses a threat to human health.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia-like infection that can be fatal.
Globally the number of Legionnaires' disease cases is increasing, with elderly and immunocompromised people at the highest risk.
L. pneumophilia is the main cause of Legionnaires' disease and is not transmitted from person to person
but caused by inhalation or aspiration of contaminated water. "
(My Comment) : All the more reason to take cold showers
rather than inhale steam vapors with Legionella bacteria tranferance due to vapors.