First author Catharina Kober with the LegioTyper-chip. Credit: Jonas Bemetz / TUM.

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich in Germany have created a test to quickly detect Legionella bacteria within 34 minutes, instead of days.

Known to cause deadly pneumonia infections, Legionella multiplies in warm water and can spread through cooling towers, evaporative recooling and hot water systems.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Of all the species of this rod-shaped bacteria, Legionella pneumophila is considered as the most dangerous as it causes 80% of the infections.

The process water of a technical system must be tested to identify the type of bacteria and the approach takes about ten days. The existing rapid test is designed to detect Legionella compounds in a patient’s urine.

“The researchers have developed a foil-based measuring chip to identify Legionella pneumophila as well as determine its subtype.”

Technical University of Munich Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry research group head Dr Michael Seidel said: “Unfortunately, this quick test serves only as a first indication and is not suitable for screening the water of technical systems.”

The researchers have subsequently developed a foil-based measuring chip to identify Legionella pneumophila as well as determine its subtype.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Created under the LegioTyper project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the chip employs GWK firm’s microarray analysis platform MCR and uses 20 different antibodies to deliver a complete analysis in less than 34 minutes.

When used in conjunction with another DNA-based method, the chip can help in monitoring disinfection measures by identifying if the Legionella bacteria were dead or alive.

Seidel added: “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.”