Isolation of Legionella pneumophila from Hospital Shower Heads

Cordes, L G

doi:10.7326/0003-4819-94-2-195

Cited by 158 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…An extensive collection of case studies and research articles dating back Ͼ30 years demonstrates the adaptability and potential of legionellae to colonize man-made aquatic environments ( Fig. 1), from the initial point of water treatment (69)(70)(71)(72)(73) to private homes (74)(75)(76)(77)(78), hospitals (79)(80)(81)(82)(83), restaurants (84,85), bath houses (86)(87)(88)(89), hotels (90)(91)(92), and, eventually, wastewater facilities (93,94). These studies underscore the resiliency and persistence of legionellae.…”

Section: Physiology and Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Current and Emerging Legionella Diagnostics for Laboratory and Outbreak Investigations

2015

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SUMMARY Legionnaires' disease (LD) is an often severe and potentially fatal form of bacterial pneumonia caused by an extensive list of Legionella species. These ubiquitous freshwater and soil inhabitants cause human respiratory disease when amplified in man-made water or cooling systems and their aerosols expose a susceptible population. Treatment of sporadic cases and rapid control of LD outbreaks benefit from swift diagnosis in concert with discriminatory bacterial typing for immediate epidemiological responses. Traditional culture and serology were instrumental in describing disease incidence early in its history; currently, diagnosis of LD relies almost solely on the urinary antigen test, which captures only the dominant species and serogroup, Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1). This has created a diagnostic “blind spot” for LD caused by non-Lp1 strains. This review focuses on historic, current, and emerging technologies that hold promise for increasing LD diagnostic efficiency and detection rates as part of a coherent testing regimen. The importance of cooperation between epidemiologists and laboratorians for a rapid outbreak response is also illustrated in field investigations conducted by the CDC with state and local authorities. Finally, challenges facing health care professionals, building managers, and the public health community in combating LD are highlighted, and potential solutions are discussed.

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Section: Physiology and Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Current and Emerging Legionella Diagnostics for Laboratory and Outbreak Investigations

2015

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“…Our results indicate that exposure to the infectious agent might have occurred inside the institution, at least in the case of the Rahel Hospital. L. pneumophila has been isolated from hospital shower heads (Cordes et al 1981) and from the water supply of a hospital (Stout et al 1982). Airborne transmission with organisms aerosolized during soil excavations has also been suspected as a source of nosocomial outbreaks (Thacker et al 1978).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prevalence study of antibodies toLegionellaspp. in geriatric institutions

Boldur

Ergaz

Sompolinsky

1984

J. Hyg.

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SUMMARYThe prevalence of seropositivity to Legionella spp. was studied in inmates and staff members of two geriatric hospitals (Rahel and Sinai); attendants to a geriatric Day Club; and 26 old people with entirely independent households. The sera were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with antigens of six Legionella species The results indicate intramural exposure to agents of legionellosis, at least for the Rahel Hospital.

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“…After shock chlorination to >15 mg/L for 12 hr, free chlorine levels of >3 mg/L were maintained, as was the temperature in the hot water heater at 52.2°C. No cases of nosocomial legionellosis were observed in the affected building in the subsequent 13 months.…”

Section: Effect Of Control Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potable Water as a Source for Legionellosis

Fraser¹

1985

Environmental Health Perspectives

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Several lines of evidence have been examined in attempts to implicate potable water as a source for legionellosis. Success has been mixed. The strongest evidence has been the similarity of strains recovered from patients and from potable water and the cessation of outbreaks following institution of measures to eradicate Legionella from potable water systems. Epidemiologic efforts to identify the effective mode of exposure to water (e.g. ingestion) have been remarkably unsuccessful. Although L. pneumophila can clearly be acquired on occasion from potable water, the proportion of cases traceable to this source is unknown, as is the role of potable water as a source of infection by other Legionellae. Hyperchlorination, raising hot water temperatures to >55°C, and replacing rubber gaskets are useful methods for controlling outbreaks of legionellosis traced to potable water systems but are not yet justified as routine preventative methods in the absence of such an outbreak.

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Isolation of Legionella pneumophila from Hospital Shower Heads

Cited by 158 publications

References 16 publications

Current and Emerging Legionella Diagnostics for Laboratory and Outbreak Investigations

Current and Emerging Legionella Diagnostics for Laboratory and Outbreak Investigations

A prevalence study of antibodies toLegionellaspp. in geriatric institutions

Potable Water as a Source for Legionellosis

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