Legionella pneumophila in residential water supplies: environmental surveillance with clinical assessment for Legionnaires' disease.
Epidemiol Infect
; 109(1): 49-57, 1992 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-1499672
Although cases of community-acquired Legionnaires' disease have been epidemiologically linked to residential water supplies, the risk of acquiring Legionnaires' disease from exposure to Legionella pneumophila in residential water systems is uncertain. The residential water supplies of 218 members of the American Legion in six different geographical areas in Pittsburgh were cultured for L. pneumophila. Residents of the homes provided a recent medical history and a blood sample for detection of antibodies to legionella. A urine sample for legionella urinary antigen testing was also requested from individuals residing in legionella-positive homes and individuals with a positive antibody test. Six percent (14/218) of the homes yielded L. pneumophila (range within six areas 0-22%). Lower hot water tank temperature was significantly associated with legionella positivity (P less than 0.01). Analysis of water samples for mineral content showed no association between legionella positivity and concentrations of calcium and magnesium. Water samples from the area where 22% of the homes surveyed were positive for legionella had a higher iron content than water samples from the other areas tested. None of the individuals residing in legionella-positive homes showed elevated antibody titres to legionella or the presence of legionella antigen in urine. For the immunocompetent hosts, the risk of contracting Legionnaires' disease from exposure to contaminated household water supplies in the Pittsburgh area appears to be low.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Microbiologia da Água
/
Abastecimento de Água
/
Doença dos Legionários
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Legionella pneumophila
Tipo de estudo:
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
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Humans
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Epidemiol Infect
Assunto da revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
1992
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de publicação:
Reino Unido