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An Ottawa company that tests for infection-causing bacteria says the germs that cause legionnaires’ disease went above acceptable levels in more than one-third of federal government buildings it sampled last summer.

Four of the 51 buildings tested were at least 10 times over the limit for legionella bacteria. One building was at least 100 times over the limit.

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But none of the buildings are being publicly identified by Public Services and Procurement Canada, which sponsored the research.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by a natural bacterium called legionella, which multiplies in the warm, humid environment of big ventilation systems.

The bug can spread through the moisture in ventilation, but not from person to person. It is named for the 1976 convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia where it was first identified. It killed 29 people there.

Spartan Biosciences of Ottawa participated in the 12-week test comparing its technology, which does DNA testing in about 45 minutes, with traditional “culture” tests. A culture test involves taking a sample and shipping it to a lab, which takes up to two weeks to grow more bacteria and then count them.