Genomic epidemiology of Legionella pneumophila in Scotland
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Genomic epidemiology of Legionella pneumophila in Scotland
IRAS ID
299575
Contact name
Diane S J Lindsay
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHSGGC
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
An increase in the use of man-made water systems has resulted in an increase in a form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease (LD) over the last 40 years. The infection is caused by inhalation or aspiration of a Legionella contaminated water source. A rapid response to LD outbreaks is critical to minimise further cases and requires the identification of suspected water source and comparisons made to the Legionella bacteria isolated from infected individual/s.
This project aims to use data generated from the whole genome sequencing (WGS) of Scottish patient and environmental isolates to identify links within Scotland and compare these to publicly available WGS information from isolates from around the world.
The data generated will lead to a greater understanding of the diversity in patients and the environment and will allow the identification of a definitive source of infection.
However this can only be achieved when we have access to epidemiological data on the patient. The aim of this study is to merge the lab and epidemiological data to get a better understanding of prevalence and persistence of certain Legionella in the environment and why they cause diseaseREC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/YH/0248
Date of REC Opinion
26 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion