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Widespread Legionella pneumophila contamination of dental stations in a dental school without apparent human infection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

B. A. Oppenheim ,
A. M. Sefton ,
O. N. Gill ,
J. E. Tyler ,
M. C. O'Mahony ,
J. M. Richards ,
P. J. L. Dennis  and
T. G. Harrison
B. A. Oppenheim
Affiliation:
The London Hospital Medical College
A. M. Sefton
Affiliation:
The London Hospital Medical College
O. N. Gill
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre
J. E. Tyler
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre
M. C. O'Mahony
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre
J. M. Richards
Affiliation:
London Hospital Dental Institute
P. J. L. Dennis
Affiliation:
PHLS Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porlon Down
T. G. Harrison
Affiliation:
PHLS Central Public Health Laboratory
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Summary

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Following isolation of Legionella pneumophila from a special dental station water circuit, used primarily to cool high-speed dental drills which produce fine aerosols, a case finding and environmental survey was undertaken. Widespread colonization of the dental stations was found and the results suggested that amplification of the background levels of L. pneumophila was taking place within the stations. However there was no evidence for transmission causing human infection.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 99 , Issue 1 , August 1987 , pp. 159 - 166
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

References

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