OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiologic relatedness of nosocomial infections due to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 diagnosed between 1992 and 1994 in six immunocompromised patients of the same hospital and to describe the measures which were developed to control the outbreak. METHODS: Legionella strains isolated from patients and from potable hot water were compared using three typing methods: monoclonal antibody analysis, arbitrarily primed PCR and ribotyping. RESULTS: Environmental investigations revealed the presence of high levels of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 in hot water. The typing methods gave concordant results for demonstrating (1) the persistence of an epidemic strain of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 in the major water distribution circuit of the hospital over a 3-year period, and (2) the identity between patients' and environmental strains. Five of the six patients were probably infected via aerosols of hot tap water following inappropriate therapeutic procedures. Repetitive heat flushings associated with regular bacteriologic surveillance allowed correct disinfection of the water distribution systems. Specific recommendations concerning aerosol delivery and oxygen therapy were implemented in order to prevent further nosocomial legionellosis. CONCLUSIONS: The same strain of L. pneumophila had been able to colonize the main water circuit of the hospital for at least 3 years; the relatedness between clinical and environmental strains was easily confirmed by the use of molecular markers.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.1998.tb00082.x | DOI Listing |
J Glob Antimicrob Resist
January 2025
Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; ESCMID Study Group for Legionella Infections (ESGLI), Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address:
Background: Although antimicrobial resistance has not yet emerged as an overarching problem for Legionella pneumophila (Lp) infection, the description of clinical and environmental strains resistant to fluoroquinolones and macrolides is a cause of concern. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Lp human isolates in Italy.
Methods: A total of 204 Lp clinical isolates were tested for sensitivity to nine antibiotics using the broth microdilution assay (BMD).
J Water Health
December 2024
Laboklin GmbH & Co KG, Steubenstraße 4, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany.
Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging problem in hospitals and long-term healthcare facilities. Early detection of susceptibility pattern changes in pathogenic bacteria can prevent treatment failures. Therefore, this study chose to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility situation of isolates from hospitals and long-term healthcare facilities in Southern Germany.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
October 2024
Legionella Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain.
Two sporadic cases of legionellosis occurring in consecutive years were confirmed by positive antigenuria to serogroup 1 in individuals with limited mobility who were confined to their homes. Both cases had a history of using ultrasonic humidifiers and of low exposure to other possible sources of infection. This study was conducted through an expanded epidemiological survey and home inspection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Total Environ
December 2024
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Munich, Germany; Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Due to the generation of large quantities of aerosol and the recycling of water, tunnel car washes are discussed as potential sources of legionellosis. Additionally, occupational health and safety aspects are important for tunnel car washes as they are often workplaces. A total of 17 different tunnel car washes were investigated for the presence of Legionella.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Microbiol
November 2024
Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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