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Legionella pneumophila in a hospital water system following a nosocomial outbreak: prevalence, monoclonal antibody subgrouping and effect of control measures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

C. D. Ribeiro ,
S. H. Burge ,
S. R. Palmer ,
J. O'H. Tobin  and
I. D. Watkins
C. D. Ribeiro
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XW
S. H. Burge
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XW
S. R. Palmer
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XW
J. O'H. Tobin
Affiliation:
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, South Park Road, Oxford OX1 3RE
I. D. Watkins
Affiliation:
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, South Park Road, Oxford OX1 3RE
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Summary

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Swabs and water samples from a hospital water system were cultured for legionellae over an extended period. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, including outbreak associated strains, were isolated in small numbers from approximately 5% of these samples despite implementation of the current DHSS/Welsh Office regulations. No cases of nosocomial legionnaires' disease were proven during the study. Physical cleaning and chemical sterilization of taps, and replacement of washers with ‘approved’ brands did not eradicate the organisms. Eradication of legionellae in hospital water supplies appears to be unnecessary in preventing nosocomial legionnaires' disease provided the current DHSS/Welsh Office recommendations are implemented.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 98 , Issue 3 , June 1987 , pp. 253 - 262
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

References

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