Influence of climate and geography on the occurrence of Legionella and amoebae in composting facilities.

Background: The incidence of Legionnaires' disease (LD) in southern Switzerland is three times higher than in northern Switzerland. Climatic and geographic factors may be potential causes for this difference.We studied the prevalence of Legionella and free-living amoebae (FLA) in compost and bioaerosol in two Swiss regions to understand the role of climate and geography in the transmission of LD.

Presence of Legionella and free-living Amoebae in composts and bioaerosols from composting facilities.

Several species of Legionella cause Legionnaires' disease (LD). Infection may occur through inhalation of Legionella or amoebal vesicles. The reservoirs of Legionella are water, soil, potting soil and compost.

Meteorological factors and risk of community-acquired Legionnaires' disease in Switzerland: an epidemiological study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify meteorological factors that could be associated with an increased risk of community-acquired Legionnaires' disease (LD) in two Swiss regions.

Design: Retrospective epidemiological study using discriminant analysis and multivariable Poisson regression.

Setting: We analysed legionellosis cases notified between January 2003 and December 2007 and we looked for a possible relationship between incidence rate and meteorological factors.

Detection limits of Legionella pneumophila in environmental samples after co-culture with Acanthamoeba polyphaga.

Background: The efficiency of recovery and the detection limit of Legionella after co-culture with Acanthamoeba polyphaga are not known and so far no investigations have been carried out to determine the efficiency of the recovery of Legionella spp. by co-culture and compare it with that of conventional culturing methods. This study aimed to assess the detection limits of co-culture compared to culture for Legionella pneumophila in compost and air samples.

Compost facilities as a reservoir of Legionella pneumophila and other Legionella species.

Data on the presence of Legionellae outside the aquatic environment are scarce. Alternative ecosystems that could act as a reservoir for Legionella spp. have been investigated to identify unconventional contaminated substrates that are able to produce bioaerosols.