Legionella Testing Market To Generate $554 Million Revenue by 2030
- Published: March 2023
The legionella testing market size is expected to advance at a CAGR of 8% during 2022–2030, to reach USD 554 million by 2030. The key factors driving the market are the increase in the prevalence of legionella infection and pneumonia. Around 6,000 Legionnaire’s disease diagnoses are recorded in the U.S. each year, as the bacteria are present in potting mixes and polluted water. It can cause various illnesses, ranging from a shortness of breath to severe pneumonia.
The increase in the demand for rapid diagnostic methods is, thus, a factor driving the growth of the market. Among all the testing options, PCR is used the most widely for determining the presence of legionella.
Moreover, In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, mostly countries in the world announced lockdown. This led to a shortage of water reservoir and tank cleaning professionals and unused water over months. And, since still water is the most-common breeding ground for Legionella species, the testing of water was recommended by governments after the lockdowns were lifted, to prevent the outbreak of Legionella. Therefore, before offices and other commercial and industrial spaces resumed operations in many countries, their plumbing, including water tanks, were thoroughly inspected for the presence of this pathogen.
Legionella Testing Is Used Mainly for Disease Diagnosis
Based on end user, the diagnostic centers category is expected to hold the largest share, of more than 41%, in 2030, because of the increasing prevalence of this disease, rising awareness on detecting it in the body early, and the continuous advancements in healthcare systems around the globe. Moreover, a large patient pool visits diagnostic centers as getting testing at a full-fledged hospital costs a lot more.
Water treatment plants are also a significant end user in the market, because the bacterium is generally found in lakes, hot springs, and other waterbodies. The stringent regulations on the quality of potable water make it imperative for utilities to remove all pathogens from water, before supplying it to consumers.
North America To Exhibit Highest Demand for Pathogen Detection Solutions
North America held the largest market share 44% in 2022, and it is expected to grow at significant CAGR during the forecast period, because of the developments in the regional healthcare industry, surge in the awareness of legionella testing, and adoption of new methods for this purpose. For instance, in June 2021, professionals from ASHRAE warned of the risk of Legionella bacteria growth in building water systems and highlighted the need to inspect the tanks once offices reopened following the COVID-19 lockdowns. This was done to reduce the risk of legionellosis for employees.
ASHRAE guidance documents have advised the best-possible ways to manage the risk, which include the implementation of a water management plan and inspecting water systems before people started using that facility after the lockdowns were to be lifted.
Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market for legionella testing, led by China, where legionella gaining increasing attention. For instance, the Chinese Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has published a new regulation, known as the General Code for Water Supply, Drainage, and Water Saving of Buildings, according to which mandatory legionella tests with zero tolerance are required for swimming pools and shower waters, including hot springs.
Top companies in the legionella testing market are Quidel Corporation., ChemREADY, Abbott Laboratories, Merck KGaA, Phigenics, IDEXX Corporation, and Bio-Rad Laboratories.