Hydrosense: Revolutionising Legionella detection with cutting-edge technology

Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, poses significant health risks, particularly in environments with complex water systems. The case fatality rate of community-acquired Legionnaires’ disease is 10%, rising alarming to over 25% in a healthcare setting.

Traditional testing methods for detecting Legionella are time-consuming, with lab results taking several weeks to return. This delay increases the risk of outbreaks, as this bacterium can rapidly multiply, it is reportedly able to double in 24 hours.

Hydrosense, a pioneering British company has transformed the landscape of Legionella detection with its rapid, onsite, easy to use test kits.

The Hydrosense Advantage

Hydrosense innovative solutions harness the power of Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic Assay (LFICA) technology, the same principle used in Covid-19 and pregnancy tests, to deliver results in just 25 minutes. This immediate feedback is crucial for timely intervention and ensuring water safety across a variety of settings, from hospitals and hotels to cooling towers and residential or commercial buildings.

Introducing Hydrosense PRO

The latest innovation from Hydrosense, Hydrosense PRO, offers rapid Legionella tests for water and biofilm and is the world’s first on-site ultra-rapid Legionella test to detect all Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1-15, which accounts for over 97% of all Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks. Whilst serogroup 1 is the cause of 90% of these cases, serogroups 2-15, though less common, are still significant contributors to Legionella incidents.

Advanced Detection Technology

What sets Hydrosense PRO apart is its advanced three-line test system. This innovative design not only isolates the bacteria but also identifies the presence of serogroup 1 on one test line and serogroups 2-15 on another. This dual-line identification provides users with key information instantly, allowing for more precise and targeted action.

Hydrosense PRO Ultra Legionella Water and Industrial Kits are highly sensitive and designed to detect Legionella pneumophila levels as low as 100 CFU/L (0.1 CFU/ml), with additional action levels at 1,000 CFU/L (1 CFU/ml) and 10,000 CFU/L (10 CFU/ml). For biofilm sampling, the Hydrosense PRO Ultra Legionella Swab Kit offers a detection level of 200 CFU per swabbed area.

https://hydrosense-legionella.com/hydrosense-pro/

Real-Time Water Quality Management

One of the key advantages of Hydrosense’s rapid Legionella tests is their ease of use. The tests are designed for onsite application, requiring minimal training. This user-friendliness enables quick decision-making leading to immediate implementation of corrective control measures. By providing real-time knowledge about the presence of Legionella, Hydrosense test kits become an integral part of any water management and Legionella risk assessment program.

Applications Across Various Industries

Hydrosense tests are versatile and can be used across all sector industries and settings. Wherever humans and water meet in a built environment, there is a risk of Legionella exposure.

In healthcare facilities, where patients are vulnerable, rapid detection of Legionella is vital. The elderly, immuno-suppressed, and individuals with chronic health conditions are at higher risk of severe illness if exposed to Legionella.

Hotels and leisure facilities also benefit significantly from Hydrosense tests. The hospitality industry must maintain high standards of water quality to protect guests from waterborne diseases when using their facilities.

Cooling towers, common in large buildings and industrial settings, are a critical area where Hydrosense tests can make a substantial impact. These systems are prone to biofilm formation, where Legionella bacteria can thrive if not properly managed. They also omit water mist clouds which can carry Legionella-contaminated aerosols for several kilometers.

Residential buildings and office complexes can use Hydrosense tests to ensure their water systems remain safe. Regular monitoring and rapid detection allow for proactive maintenance and intervention, preventing costly shutdowns and dangerous outbreaks.

Enhancing Public Health and Safety

The impact of Hydrosense’s rapid Legionella tests extends beyond immediate health benefits. Significantly reducing the turnaround time for Legionella testing, Hydrosense helps organisations save valuable time and resources. Quick detection and response minimises the potential for widespread contamination and associated legal liabilities and reputational damage.

Complementing Legislative Processes

Hydrosense tests play an ideal role in supporting compliance with water safety regulations. By providing an effective immediate tool for regular monitoring and testing, Hydrosense validates the efficacy of remedial actions after a positive test result, ensuring that corrective measures are successful, and the risk of Legionella is minimised. Businesses can then get back operational while they wait for official lab results.

Key Statistics to Know

• Over 97% of culture-confirmed cases are due to Legionella pneumophila.
• More than 90% of these cases are attributed to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1.
• For the past 17 years, all US outbreaks have been caused by Legionella pneumophila.
• The mortality rate for untreated immunocompromised individuals is between 40-80%.
• 10% of community-acquired Legionnaires’ disease cases are fatal.
• 25% of those who contract Legionnaires’ disease in healthcare settings die.

Keep facilities safe with Hydrosense – detect Legionella fast, act fast and save lives. https://hydrosense-legionella.com/hydrosense-pro/

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