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Development of a Two-Stage Computational Modeling Method for Drinking Water Microbial Ecology Effects on Legionella pneumophila Growth

Hibler, David A
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9459-3155
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1595509673321504

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Public Health.
Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) has become a significant public health issue due to its growth in water distribution systems. In natural water systems L. pneumophila is often found in relatively low concentrations. However, in distribution systems it is able to thrive through the use of biofilms and invasion of larger host organisms such as protozoa. Additionally, the altered microbial ecology of water distribution systems seems to play a role in facilitating its ability to proliferate and persist. L. pneumophila can cause respiratory infections when contaminated water is aerosolized as it exits from distribution or premise plumbing systems and is then inhaled. Research has shown that some tap water organisms can exhibit inhibitory or commensal effects on L. pneumophila. Understanding more about these relationships will allow us to better estimate L. pneumophila concentrations in premise plumbing. A systematic literature review was conducted to gather relevant information regarding the interactions of L. pneumophila with tap water biofilm microbial ecology. From the resulting information a stochastic model has been produced to simulate (1) these interactions within a tap water biofilm and (2) the inhibitory or commensal effects on L. pneumophila concentrations. The model simulates the interactions of L. pneumophila within a tap water biofilm. These interactions are used to calculate the resulting L. pneumophila concentrations in the biofilm and bulk tap water. Theses concentrations are then used in a quantitative microbial risk analysis (QMRA) of a 15-minute showering event and used to determine the exposure hazard to humans and associated risk of L. pneumophila infection based off this novel ecological modeling method. The models that my method develops are a means of improving the precision of estimates for exposure of bacteria after its growth in premise plumbing. From this, we can better understand how communities of microorganisms in biofilms affect the associated health risks, and thus use that to target intervention options.
Mark Weir (Advisor)
Michael Bisesi (Committee Member)
Kerry Hamilton (Committee Member)
Natalie Hull (Committee Member)
167 p.
Biology; Demography; Ecology; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Health; Environmental Studies; Epidemiology; Health; Health Care; Microbiology; Public Health
Legionella pneumophila; L pneumophila; Biofilm; Tap water; water distribution system; ecology; Computational Model; Computational Modeling Method; quantitative microbial risk analysis; QMRA; inhibition; commensal; microorganism; premise plumbing

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hibler, D. A. (2020). Development of a Two-Stage Computational Modeling Method for Drinking Water Microbial Ecology Effects on Legionella pneumophila Growth [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1595509673321504

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hibler, David. Development of a Two-Stage Computational Modeling Method for Drinking Water Microbial Ecology Effects on Legionella pneumophila Growth. 2020. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1595509673321504.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hibler, David. "Development of a Two-Stage Computational Modeling Method for Drinking Water Microbial Ecology Effects on Legionella pneumophila Growth." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1595509673321504

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1595509673321504
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.