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Encyclopedia > Legionellosis
Legionellosis
Classification & external resources
ICD-10 A48.1, A48.2
ICD-9 482.84
DiseasesDB 7366
eMedicine emerg/295 
MeSH D007876

Legionellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Legionella.[1] Over 90% of legionellosis cases are caused by Legionella pneumophila, a ubiquitous aquatic organism that thrives in warm environments (25 to 45 °C with an optimum around 35 °C).[2] The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) is a coding of diseases and signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). ... // A00-A79 - Bacterial infections, and other intestinal infectious diseases, and STDs (A00-A09) Intestinal infectious diseases (A00) Cholera (A01) Typhoid and paratyphoid fevers (A010) Typhoid fever (A02) Other Salmonella infections (A03) Shigellosis (A04) Other bacterial intestinal infections (A040) Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection (A045) Campylobacter enteritis (A046) Enteritis due to Yersinia... // A00-A79 - Bacterial infections, and other intestinal infectious diseases, and STDs (A00-A09) Intestinal infectious diseases (A00) Cholera (A01) Typhoid and paratyphoid fevers (A010) Typhoid fever (A02) Other Salmonella infections (A03) Shigellosis (A04) Other bacterial intestinal infections (A040) Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection (A045) Campylobacter enteritis (A046) Enteritis due to Yersinia... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The Disease Bold textDatabase is a free website that provides information about the relationships between medical conditions, symptoms, and medications. ... eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996. ... Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) is a huge controlled vocabulary (or metadata system) for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books in the life sciences. ... This false-colored electron micrograph shows a malaria sporozoite migrating through the midgut epithelia. ... Phyla Actinobacteria Aquificae Chlamydiae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Lentisphaerae Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Verrucomicrobia Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular microorganisms. ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... Species Legionella adelaidensis Legionella anisa Legionella beliardensis Legionella birminghamensis Legionella bozemanii Legionella brunensis Legionella busanensis Legionella cherrii Legionella cincinnatiensis Legionella donaldsonii Legionella drancourtii Legionella drozanskii Legionella erythra Legionella fairfieldensis Legionella fallonii Legionella feeleii Legionella geestiana Legionella gratiana Legionella gresilensis Legionella hackeliae Legionella israelensis Legionella jamestowniensis Legionella jordanis Legionella lansingensis Legionella... Binomial name Legionella pneumophila Brenner DJ, Steigerwalt AG, McDade JE 1979 Legionella pneumophila is a thin, pleomorphic, flagellated Gram-negative bacterium of the genus Legionella. ...


Legionellosis takes two distinct forms:

Legionnaires' disease acquired its name in 1976 when an outbreak of pneumonia occurred among people attending a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. On January 18, 1977 the causative agent was identified as a previously unknown bacterium, subsequently named Legionella. This article is about human pneumonia. ... For the Codename: Kids Next Door character with this name, see Common Cold. ... In medicine, an acute disease is a disease with either or both of: a rapid onset; a short course (as opposed to a chronic course). ... Influenza, commonly known as flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). ... Virus outbreaks occur when a virus bypasses infection control measures and a relatively high number of infections are observed where no cases or sporadic cases occurred in the past. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ... is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Phyla/Divisions Actinobacteria Aquificae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Nitrospirae Omnibacteria Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Bacteria (singular, bacterium) are a major group of living organisms. ...


An estimated 8,000 to 18,000 people get legionellosis in the United States each year.[4] Some people can be infected with the Legionella bacterium and have only mild symptoms or no illness at all.


Outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease receive significant media attention. However, this disease usually occurs as a single, isolated case not associated with any recognized outbreak. When outbreaks do occur, they are usually recognized in the summer and early autumn, though cases may occur at any time of year. The fatality rate of Legionnaires' disease has ranged from 5 to 30% during various outbreaks.

Contents

Symptoms

Patients with Legionnaires' disease usually have fever, chills, and a cough, which may be dry or may produce sputum. Some patients also have muscle aches, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, loss of coordination (ataxia) and, occasionally diarrhea and vomiting. Laboratory tests may show that patients’ kidneys and liver are not functioning properly. Chest X-rays often show pneumonia with bi-basal consolidation. It is difficult to distinguish Legionnaires' disease from other types of pneumonia by symptoms or radiologic findings alone; other tests are required for diagnosis. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image A: A normal chest X-ray. ...


Persons with Pontiac fever experience fever and muscle aches without pneumonia. They generally recover in 2 to 5 days without treatment.


The time between the patient’s exposure to the bacterium and the onset of illness for Legionnaires' disease is 2 to 10 days; for Pontiac fever, it is shorter, generally a few hours to 2 days.


Infections

Intestinal Infections: These may only occur as part of respiratory infections, where gastrointestinal symptoms have on occasion been described.


Extraintestinal Infections: L. pneumophila is specifically considered as a pathogen of the respiratory tract, where it is a cause of atypical pneumonia, also known as Legionnaires' disease. Other infections have also been reported, including haemodialysis fistulae, pericarditis and wound and skin infections. Bacteraemia is often associated with Legionnaires' disease. A pathogen or infectious agent is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. ... In humans the respiratory tract is the part of the anatomy that has to do with the process of respiration or breathing. ... Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, the pericardium. ... Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood, and is the means by which local infections spread hematogenously to distant organs. ...


Animal Infections: None specifically recorded.


Infections of Protozoa: Protozoa such as Harmanella vermiformis and related protozoa have been shown to be able to support the growth of L. pneumophila in tap water. Also Acanthamoeba, Naegleria and Tetrahymena can be infected by L. pneumophila. This pathway may be how these organisms survive in the environment. Wikisource has an original article from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica about: Protozoa Protozoa (in Greek proto = first and zoa = animals) are single-celled eukaryotes (organisms whose cells have nuclei) that commonly show characteristics usually associated with animals, most notably mobility and heterotrophy. ... Acanthamoeba is a genus of amoebae, one of the most common protozoa in soil, and also frequently found in freshwater and other habitats. ... Naegleria fowleri is a free living, pathogenic amoeba typically found in warm fresh water, from 25-35 degrees Celsius. ... Species T hegewischi Tetrahymena are non-pathogenic free-living ciliate protozoa. ...


Diagnosis and treatment

People of any age may get Legionnaires' disease, but the illness most often affects middle-aged and older persons, particularly those who smoke cigarettes or have chronic lung disease. Immunocompromised patients are also at elevated risk. Pontiac fever most commonly occurs in persons who are otherwise healthy. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a group of respiratory tract diseases that are characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. ... In medicine, immune deficiency (or immunodeficiency) is a state where the immune system is incapable of defending the organism from infectious disease. ...


The most useful diagnostic tests detect the bacteria in sputum, find Legionella antigens in urine samples, or compare antibody levels to Legionella in two blood samples obtained 3 to 6 weeks apart. The urine antigen test is simple, quick, and very reliable; however it will only detect Legionella pneumophila serogroup #1. Also the urine antigen test will not identify the specific subtyping so it cannot be used to match the patient with the environmental source of infection.


Current treatments of choice are the respiratory tract quinolones (levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin) or newer macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin). The antibiotics used most frequently have been levofloxacin and azithromycin. Macrolides are used in all age groups while tetracyclines are prescribed for children above the age of 12 and quinolones above the age of 18.
Rifampin can be used in combination with a quinolone or macrolide. Tetracyclines and erythromycin led to improved outcome compared to other antibiotics in the original American Legion outbreak. These antibiotics are effective because they have excellent intracellular penetration and Legionella infects cells. The mortality at the original American Legion convention in 1976 was high (34 deaths in 180 infected individuals) because the antibiotics used (including penicillins, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides) had poor intracellular penetration. Mortality has plunged to less than 5% if therapy is started quickly. Delay in giving the appropriate antibiotic leads to higher mortality. Quinolones and fluoroquinolones form a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics. ... Levofloxacin is an advanced generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic, marketed by Ortho-McNeil under the trade name Levaquin in the United States. ... Moxifloxacin is a synthetic fluoroquinolone antibiotic agent. ... Gemifloxacin mesylate (trade name Factive®, Oscient Pharmaceuticals) is an oral broad-spectrum quinolone antibacterial agent used in the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and mild-to-moderate pneumonia. ... The macrolides are a group of drugs (typically antibiotics) whose activity stems from the presence of a macrolide ring, a large lactone ring to which one or more deoxy sugars, usually cladinose and desosamine, are attached. ... Azithromycin is an azalide, a subclass of macrolide antibiotics. ... Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute maxillary sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, pneumonia (especially atypical pneumonias associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae or TWAR), skin and skin structure infections, and, in HIV and AIDS patients to prevent, and to treat, disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). ... Roxithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic. ... Staphylococcus aureus - Antibiotics test plate. ... Rifampicin (INN) or rifampin (USAN) is an antibiotic drug of the rifamycin group. ... This article deals with the specific Tetracycline antibiotic. ... Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic which has an antimicrobial spectrum similar to or slightly wider than that of penicillin, and is often used for people who have an allergy to penicillins. ... For the Japanese rock band, see Penicillin (band). ... The cephalosporins, are a class of β-lactam antibiotics. ... Aminoglycosides are a group of antibiotics that are effective against certain types of bacteria. ...


Pontiac fever requires no specific antibiotic treatment.


How Legionnaires' disease is spread

Legionellosis infection occurs after inhaling water droplets that originated from a water source contaminated with Legionella. It must be inhaled through a fine aerosol of tiny water droplets that are strung with the bacteria. This often comes from poorly ventilated areas such as prisons, and can be spread through coughing (inmate to inmate) or a condensating air conditioner which spreads it throughout the entire room, infecting anyone not immune to the strand of bacteria. Potential sources of such contaminated water include cooling towers used in industrial cooling water systems as well as in large central air conditioning systems, evaporative coolers, hot water systems, showers, whirlpool spas, architectural fountains, room-air humidifiers, ice making machines, misting equipment and similar disseminators that draw upon a public water supply. The disease may also be spread in a hot tub if the filtering system is defective. [5] Freshwater ponds, creeks, and ornamental fountains are also potential sources of Legionella.[6] Cooling towers are structures for cooling water or other working medium to near-ambient temperature. ... Central air conditioning, commonly referred to as central air, is an air conditioning system which uses ducts to distribute cooled and/or dehumidified air to more than one room, or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and which is not plugged into... Evaporative coolers (also called air coolers or desert coolers) are cooling devices which uses simple evaporation of water in air. ... A trio of propane water heaters. ... It has been suggested that Steam shower be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Jacuzzi (disambiguation). ... The worlds highest fountain: King Fahds Fountain in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Three traditional fountain features: a low jet, a pair of raised basins, and sculpture with a water theme, here hippocamps (Villa Borghese, Rome) A traditional fountain is an arrangement where water issues from a source (Latin fons... A humidifier is a household appliance that increases humidity (moisture) in a single room or in the entire home. ... An icemaker is a device found in a freezer that is used to make ice. ... Evaporative coolers (also called air coolers or desert coolers) are cooling devices which uses simple evaporation of water in air. ... Hot tub at Big White Ski Resort A hot tub is a large manufactured tub or small pool full of heated water and used for soaking, relaxation, massage, or hydrotherapy. ...


Legionella will grow in water at temperatures from 20 °C to 50 °C (68 °F to 122 °F). However, the bacteria reproduce at the greatest rate in stagnant water at temperatures of 35 °C to 46 °C (95 °F to 115 °F). Water stagnation occurs when water stops flowing. ...


Legionella longbeachae, a species in the Legionella family, is found in soils and compost.[7] Thus, the dust from purchased bags of soil, compost, or potting mix is also a potential source of Legionella. Legionella Longbeachae is one species of the Legionellaceae family. ... A handful of compost A double-wide bin with compost at different stages of decomposition Compost is the aerobically decomposed remnants of organic materials. ...


Outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease

Below is a list of Legionnaires' disease outbreaks, followed by a discussion of many of them:

Suspected Source  Cases   Deaths  Date Location
Cooling Tower 18 2 July - August 2007 Benalmadena, Spain
Institute of Animal Health 1+ 0 2007 Pirbright, Surrey, UK
Water supply 167 5 July - August 2007 Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Sverdlovsk oblast, Russia [8]
Cooling tower 7 0 31st Dec 2006 - 1st Jan 2007 Australia, Sydney [9]
Spa Pool 115 0 August 2006 Sunderland, UK
Cooling tower 26 2 July - Sept 2006 Paris, France
Cooling tower 30 2 July 2006 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cooling towers 149 0 June 2006 Pamplona, Spain
Cooling tower 10 1 February 2006 Sydney, Australia
Cooling tower 20 0 December 2005 Torrevieja, Spain
Cooling tower 127 21 October 2005 Toronto, Canada
Cooling tower 21 0 June 2005 New Rochelle, NY, USA
Indoor ornamental fountain 17 1 Summer 2005 Rapid City, SD, USA
Air scrubber 52 10 May 2005 Fredrikstad, Norway
Cooling tower 86 21 2004 Pas-de-Calais, France
Cooling tower 172 7 2002 Barrow-in-Furness, UK
Cooling tower 28 7 2001 Stavanger, Norway
Cooling tower 449 6 July 2001 Murcia, Spain
Whirlpool and humidifier 200 32 1999 Bovenkarspel, Netherlands
Hospital 101 28 1985 Stafford, UK
Cooling Tower (widely accepted) 221 34 1976 Philadelphia, PA, USA

Pirbright is a village in Surrey, England. ... // VERKHNYAYA PYSHMA Verkhnyaya Pyshma (pop. ... Flag of Sverdlovsk Oblast Sverdlovsk Oblast (Russian: , Sverdlovskaya oblast) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast) located in the Urals Federal District. ... This article is about the capital of France. ... For other uses, see Amsterdam (disambiguation). ... Pamplona (Basque: Iruñea or Iruña) is the capital city of Navarre, Spain. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... Location Coordinates : Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Torrevieja (spanish) Spanish name {{{spanish_name}}} Postal code 03181 to 03187 Area code 34 (Spain) + 365 or 366 (Alicante) Administration Country Autonomous Community Valencian Community Province Alicante Comarca Baix Segura Mayor Pedro Hernández Mateo (Partido... New Rochelle is a city located in Westchester County in the US state of New York. ... Rapid City is a city located in the western part of South Dakota and is second largest city in the state of South Dakota after Sioux Falls. ... County Østfold District Municipality NO-0106 Administrative centre Fredrikstad Mayor (2006) Ole Haabeth (Ap) Official language form BokmÃ¥l Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 283 288 km² 283 km² 0. ... Pas-de-Calais is a département in northern France named after the strait which it borders. ... Barrow-in-Furness is a town in Cumbria, England. ... County District Jæren Municipality NO-1103 Administrative centre Stavanger Mayor (1995-) Leif Johan Sevland (H) Official language form BokmÃ¥l Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 406 71 km² 68 km² 0. ... This article is about the Spanish city. ... Stede Broec is a municipality in the north-western Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. ... , Stafford is the county town of Staffordshire in England. ... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ...

Philadelphia, 1976

The first recognized outbreak occurred on July 27, 1976 at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where members of the American Legion, a United States military veterans association, had gathered for the American Bicentennial. Within two days of the event’s start, veterans began falling ill with a then-unidentified pneumonia. Numbers differ, but perhaps as many as 221 people were given medical treatment and 34 deaths occurred. At the time, the U.S. was debating the risk of a possible swine flu epidemic, and this incident prompted the passage of a national swine flu vaccination program. That cause was ruled out, and research continued for months, with various theories discussed in scientific and mass media that ranged from toxic chemicals to terrorism (domestic or foreign) aimed at the veterans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mounted an unprecedented investigation and by September, the focus had shifted from outside causes, such as a disease carrier, to the hotel environment itself. In January 1977, the Legionellosis bacterium was finally identified and isolated, and found to be breeding in the cooling tower of the hotel’s air conditioning system, which then spread it through the entire building. This finding prompted new regulations worldwide for climate control systems. The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel is a well-known hotel in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Built by Prussian immigrant George C. Boldt in the French Renaissance style, it opened in 1904. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The armed forces of the United States of America consist of the United States Army United States Navy United States Air Force United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard Note: The United States Coast Guard has both military and law enforcement functions. ... Former crewmembers of the battleship Missouri pose for photos shortly after the Anniversary of the End of World War II ceremony, held aboard the famous ship. ... The United States Bicentennial was celebrated on July 4, 1976, the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. ... Swine Flu is a form of Type A influenza that is normally virulent only in pigs. ... A vial of the vaccine against influenza. ... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, is recognized as the leading United States agency for protecting the public health and safety of people. ... Note: in the broadest sense, air conditioning can refer to any form of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. ... HVAC may also stand for High-voltage alternating current HVAC systems use ventilation air ducts installed throughout a building that supply conditioned air to a room through rectangular or round outlet vents, called diffusers; and ducts that remove air from return-air grilles Fire-resistance rated mechanical shaft with HVAC...


Some do not believe that the air conditioning was conclusively proven to be the cause of the outbreak. According to Dr. Victor L. Yu, chief of the infectious disease section at the Oakland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Pittsburgh, researchers still haven’t identified the exact source.[10] Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), a weekly publication of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stated in 1977 that no source was found in this first outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel.[11][12] Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is a weekly epidemiological digest for the United States published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ...


United Kingdom, 1985

A large outbreak of Legionnaires' disease was associated with Stafford District General Hospital. A total of 68 confirmed cases were treated in hospital and 22 of these patients died. A further 35 patients, 14 of whom were treated at home, were suspected cases of Legionnaires' disease. All these patients had visited the hospital during April 1985. The BBC reported these statistics as 101 infected with 28 deaths resulting.


Netherlands, 1999

In March 1999, an outbreak in the Netherlands occurred during a flower exhibition in Bovenkarspel. 200 people became ill and at least 32 people died. There is a possibility that more people died from it, but these people were buried before the Legionella infection was recognized. The source of the bacteria were probably a whirlpool and a humidifier in the exhibition area.[13] Stede Broec is a municipality in the north-western Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. ... Saltstraumen whirlpool A whirlpool in a glass of water A whirlpool is a large, swirling body of water produced by ocean tides. ... A humidifier is a household appliance that increases humidity (moisture) in a single room or in the entire home. ...


Spain, 2001

The world’s largest outbreak of Legionnaires' disease happened in July 2001 (patients began appearing at the hospital on July 7), in Murcia, Spain. More than 800 suspected cases were recorded by the time the last case was treated on July 22; 636-696 of these cases were estimated and 449 confirmed (so, at least 16,000 people were exposed to the bacterium) and 6 died (a case-fatality rate of approximately 1%). This article is about the Spanish city. ... In epidemiology, Case fatality refers the rate of death among people who already have a condition. ...


A controlled case study matching 85 patients living outside the city of Murcia with two controls each was undertaken to identify the outbreak source; the epidemiologic investigation implicated the cooling towers at a city hospital (Morales Meseguer Hospital). An environmental isolate from these towers with an identical molecular pattern as the clinical isolates was subsequently identified and supported that epidemiologic conclusion. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...


Norway, 2001

The first known case of the disease in Norway occurred in 2001 when 28 people were infected in the city of Stavanger, and seven died. At first the authorities were puzzled as several of the victims lived in other locations, including one in Germany and another in England. After a massive investigation a fountain in the small lake of Breiavatnet was suspected as the source of the outbreak. But the fountain had not sprayed the bacteria into the air, the source was a cooling tower at the nearby SAS Radisson hotel. Only three of the infected had stayed at the hotel, but the exit vent of the cooling tower was at ground level next to a public bus stop, explaining the other victims. County District Jæren Municipality NO-1103 Administrative centre Stavanger Mayor (1995-) Leif Johan Sevland (H) Official language form BokmÃ¥l Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 406 71 km² 68 km² 0. ...


United Kingdom, 2002

In 2002, Barrow-in-Furness suffered the U.K.’s worst outbreak of Legionnaires' disease. Six women and one man died as a result of the illness, another 172 people also contracted the disease. The cause was found to be a contaminated cooling tower at the town’s Forum 28 arts centre. [1] Barrow Borough Council later became the first public body in the UK to be charged with corporate manslaughter, but were cleared. They were, however, along with architect Gillian Beckingham, fined for breaches of Health and Safety regulations in a trial that ended in 2006. Barrow-in-Furness is a town in Cumbria, England. ... “UK” redirects here. ... Barrow-in-Furness is a local government district and borough in Cumbria, England. ... Corporate manslaughter is a term in English law for an act of homicide committed by a company. ... For other uses, see Architect (disambiguation). ...


France, 2004

Researchers found that the Legionnaires' disease bacteria spread through the air up to 6 kilometers from a large contaminated cooling tower at a petrochemical plant in Pas-de-Calais in northern France. That outbreak killed 21 of the 86 people with laboratory-confirmed infection.[14] Pas-de-Calais is a département in northern France named after the strait which it borders. ...


Norway, 2005

In May 2005 there was a second—greater—outbreak in Norway, this time originating in the southeastern town of Fredrikstad. As of 8 June 2005, 52 patients were confirmed infected and ten people were dead. The dead were all from Fredrikstad or nearby cities, in age ranging from 68 to early 90's. The source of the outbreak unexpectedly came from an air scrubber (an industrial air purification facility; this particular one operated by Borregaard Industries in Sarpsborg). Such an installation has never before been reported as a source of Legionellosis anywhere in the world. Although the source was finally identified by DNA matching, it was also fairly well identified by analysing risk increases from people living near suspected sources.[15] County Østfold District Municipality NO-0106 Administrative centre Fredrikstad Mayor (2006) Ole Haabeth (Ap) Official language form BokmÃ¥l Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 283 288 km² 283 km² 0. ... is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The word scrubber can mean:- The part of a rebreather breathing set which absorbs the carbon dioxide which the individual using the breathing set breathes out. ... Categories: Move to Wiktionary | Stub | Chemistry ... Borregaard Norwegian company, established in 1889 in Sarpsborg, Norway. ... County District Municipality NO-0105 Administrative centre Sarpsborg Mayor (2003) Jan O. Engsmyr (Ap) Official language form BokmÃ¥l Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 238 406 km² 370 km² 0. ... The structure of part of a DNA double helix Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is a nucleic acid molecule that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. ...


New Zealand, 2005

An outbreak of Legionnaire's disease hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch in mid-2005, with 20 reported cases (three fatal) between late April and August. A cooling tower at the city's Ravensdown Fertiliser Plant was implicated in the outbreak. The outbreak led to plans by the city council to create a registry of all air-conditioning cooling towers within the city.[16] Christchurch (Māori: ) is the regional capital of Canterbury, New Zealand. ...


Toronto, 2005

In October 2005 at least 21 people died [2] and over 100 fell ill during an outbreak at the Seven Oaks Home for the Aged in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Legionnaire’s disease was originally ruled out as being the cause, but post-mortem examinations confirmed that victims had Legionella bacteria in their lungs. The outbreak is still being investigated, and researchers believe this particular outbreak may be related to a new strain of the bacteria. Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English (de facto) Government - Lieutenant-Governor David C. Onley - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area... The term post mortem means after death. It is also short for postmortem examination, or autopsy. ...


Australia, 2007

The outbreak is believed to have started during New Year's Eve celebrations at Circular Quay, on Sydney's harbour. Thought to have started from a cooling tower (where 1,400 cfu/ml Legionella was found) from an adjacent office building, four cases were initially confirmed, but there were concerns due to the fact that Circular Quay is one of the most populated areas in Sydney on New Year's Eve. As a result, there could have been potentially many more cases. On Saturday, January 20 the NSW Health Authority reported that three more cases had developed overnight, bringing the total reported cases to 7. Categories: Suburbs of Sydney | Incomplete Sydney suburbs ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ...


New York 2007

An outbreak of Legionnaire's disease occurred in Long Island, New York. It was believed to have started on September 27, 2007. It occurred in 2 separate nursing homes. 3 people have already died as of 9/27/07.


Controlling the potential growth of Legionella in cooling towers

Various studies have shown that some 40 to 60% of cooling towers tested contained Legionella.[17]


A recent research study provided evidence that Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, can travel at least 6 km from its source by airborne spread. It was previously believed that transmission of the bacterium was restricted to much shorter distances. A team of French scientists reviewed the details of an epidemic of Legionnaires' disease that took place in Pas-de-Calais in northern France in 2003–2004. There were 86 confirmed cases during the outbreak, of whom 18 perished. The source of infection was identified as a cooling tower in a petrochemical plant, and an analysis of those affected in the outbreak revealed that some infected people lived as far as 6–7 km from the plant.[18] Petrochemicals are chemical products made from raw materials of petroleum (hydrocarbon) origin. ...


Temperature affects the survival of Legionellae as follows:[19]

  • 70 to 80 °C (158 to 176 °F): Disinfection range
  • At 66 °C (151 °F): Legionellae die within 2 minutes
  • At 60 °C (140 °F): Legionellae die within 32 minutes
  • At 55 °C (131 °F): Legionellae die within 5 to 6 hours
  • Above 50 °C (122 °F): They can survive but do not multiply
  • 35 to 46 °C (95 to 115 °F): Ideal growth range
  • 20 to 50 °C (68 to 122 °F): Legionellae growth range
  • Below 20 °C (68 °F): Legionellae can survive but are dormant

Removing slime is an effective control process, because up to 1,500 times more chemicals are needed to kill bacteria in slime than free floating bacteria[20] [21].


Action levels following microbial monitoring for cooling towers

The European Working Group for Legionella Infections (EWGLI)[22] was established in 1986 within the European Union framework to share knowledge and experience about potential sources of Legionella and their control. This group has published guidelines )[23] about the actions to be taken to limit the number of colony forming units (i.e., the aerobic count) of micro-organisms per mL at 30 °C (minimum 48 hours incubation):

Aerobic count Legionella Action required
10,000 or less 1,000 or less System under control.
more than 10,000
up to 100,000
more than 1,000
up to 10,000
Review program operation. The count should be confirmed by immediate re-sampling. If a similar count is found again, a review of the control measures and risk assessment should be carried out to identify any remedial actions.
more than 100,000 more than 10,000 Implement corrective action. The system should immediately be re-sampled. It should then be ‘shot dosed’ with an appropriate biocide, as a precaution. The risk assessment and control measures should be reviewed to identify remedial actions.

Aerobic count, cfu/ml at 30°C (minimum 48 hours incubation). Colony count determined by pour plate method according to ISO 6222(21) or by spread plate method on yeast extract agar


Legionella, bacteria cfu/litre. Determined in accordance with ISO 11731(20).


Expect to find Legionella CFUs because almost all natural water sources, contain Legionella. Legionella samples need to be run within 24 hours. Samples should be kept cold with ice packs, but not frozen, and should remain up right.


Guidelines for control of Legionella in cooling towers

Many governmental agencies, cooling tower manufacturers and industrial trade organizations have developed design and maintenance guidelines for preventing or controlling the growth of Legionella in cooling towers. Below is a list of sources for such guidelines:

OSHA logo The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. ...

Regulations & Ordinances

The guidance issued by the UK government's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) now recommends that microbiological monitoring for wet cooling systems, using a dip slide, should be performed weekly. The guidance now also recommends that routine testing for legionella bacteria in wet cooling systems be carried out at least quarterly, and more frequently when a system is being commissioned, or if the bacteria has been identified on a previous occasion. [24]


The City of Garland, TX requires yearly testing for legionella bacteria at Cooling towers at apartment buildings. [25]


Malta requires twice yearly testing for legionella bacteria at Cooling towers and water fountains. Malta prohibits the installation of new cooling towers and evaporative condensers at health care facilities and schools. [26]


See also

Cooling towers are structures for cooling water or other working medium to near-ambient temperature. ... Species Legionella adelaidensis Legionella anisa Legionella beliardensis Legionella birminghamensis Legionella bozemanii Legionella brunensis Legionella busanensis Legionella cherrii Legionella cincinnatiensis Legionella donaldsonii Legionella drancourtii Legionella drozanskii Legionella erythra Legionella fairfieldensis Legionella fallonii Legionella feeleii Legionella geestiana Legionella gratiana Legionella gresilensis Legionella hackeliae Legionella israelensis Legionella jamestowniensis Legionella jordanis Legionella lansingensis Legionella...

References

  1. ^ Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology, 4th ed., McGraw Hill. ISBN 0838585299. 
  2. ^ CDC: Etiologic Agent
  3. ^ a b Winn WC Jr (1996). "Legionella", Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al, eds.), 4th ed., Univ of Texas Medical Branch. ISBN 0-9631172-1-1. 
  4. ^ CDC: Incidence
  5. ^ Silivanch v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc., 171 F.Supp.2d 241 (S.D.N.Y. 2001) (plaintiff successfully sued cruise line and manufacturer of filter after catching disease on cruise)
  6. ^ Winn WC Jr (1996). Legionella. In: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al, eds.), 4th ed., Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1. 
  7. ^ CDC: Potting Soil in CA, OR, WA
  8. ^ The cause of the pneumonia outbreak in Sverdlovskaya oblast is Legionella bacterium (in Russian)
  9. ^ HC INFO- Recent Outbreaks of Legionnaires' Disease, Sydney,6 Cases, Jan. 2007
  10. ^ Legionnaires' disease First Outbreak
  11. ^ MMWR, January 18, 1977, (reprinted January 24, 1997 Vol 46(03); 50-56) special issue, Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Follow-up on Respiratory Illness --Philadelphia
  12. ^ History of Outbreak at Bellevue Stratford Hotel
  13. ^ The Westfriese Flora flower exhibition and fair
  14. ^ Norox Pas-de-Calais
  15. ^ Borregaard Sarpsborg plant in Norway
  16. ^ Television New Zealand report
  17. ^ CTI Legionellosis Guideline: Best Practices for Control of Legionella (WTP-148) (06)
  18. ^ Long-range transmission of Legionella
  19. ^ What is Legionnaires' disease?
  20. ^ Studying Slime Paragraph 12
  21. ^ An Introduction to Biofilms
  22. ^ European Working Group for Legionella Infections
  23. ^ EWGLI: Technical Guidelines for the Control and Prevention of Legionella in Water Systems
  24. ^ UK: Health and Safety Executive Microbiological monitoring (weekly dip slide)
  25. ^ The Dallas Morning News, Garland tough on bacteria
  26. ^ MALTA Control of Legionella Regulations, 2006

is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

External links

  • CDC Disease Info legionellosis_t
  • WHO LEGIONELLA and the prevention of legionellosis 2007, 276 Pages
  • Illinois Department of Public Health page on Legionellosis
  • Video on how Legionella pneumophila infects the body
  • Directors of Health Promotion and Education page on Legionellosis
  • European Working Group for Legionella Infections
  • Legionella risk management
  • Recent Outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease
  • Legionella outbreak in Murcia, Spain, 28 June to 14 July 2001
  • River Glomma may have spread the Disease
  • http://www.legionela.info
  • Report of the public meetings into the legionella outbreak in Barrow-in-Furness, August 2002

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, is recognized as the leading United States agency for protecting the public health and safety of people. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 195th day of the year (196th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ...

Images of Legionella bacteria:

  • http://www.repower.ch/INimg/Newsletter/legionella.jpg
  • http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38922000/jpg/_38922367_legionella203.jpg
  • http://www.chemistryquestion.com/images/Question/legionella.jpg
  • http://www.q-net.net.au/~legion/Legionnaires_Disease_Bugs_Of_This_World.htm

Support groups:

  • The world's only English support group

  Results from FactBites:
 
Legionellosis - Information / Diagnosis / Treatment / Prevention (422 words)
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DBMD - Legionellosis Description: Factsheet with cause, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Legionellosis Facts Description: Includes cause, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, treatment, and prevention.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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