Find in Library
Search millions of books, articles, and more
Indexed Open Access Databases
Environmental Surveillance of <i>Legionella</i> spp. in an Italian University Hospital Results of 10 Years of Analysis
oleh: Giovanna Deiana, Antonella Arghittu, Marco Dettori, Maria Dolores Masia, Maria Grazia Deriu, Andrea Piana, Maria Rosaria Muroni, Paolo Castiglia, Antonio Azara
| Format: | Article |
|---|---|
| Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2021-08-01 |
Deskripsi
The occurrence of <i>Legionella</i> spp. in the water distribution systems of large hospitals and other healthcare facilities is considered particularly dangerous, due to the critical nature of the hospitalized patients. The aim of this study is to present a pluri-annual environmental surveillance in a large university hospital assessing the prevalence of <i>Legionella</i> spp. and underlining its variability over the years. The samples of water were collected in accordance with the Italian National Guidelines and the sampling sites considered in this study were selected favoring wards with very high-risk patients and with patients at increased risk. The laboratory analyzed a total of 305 water samples deriving from 24 different sampling points. <i>Legionella</i> spp. were detected in 39.4% of samples, the majority of which were contaminated by <i>Legionella pneumophila</i> serogroups 2–14 (68.7%). Statistically significant differences were found among different seasons with a linear trend in positive proportion from summer to spring. Several experimental interventions to prevent and reduce <i>Legionella</i> colonization were attempted, but there is no a definitive method for the complete eradication of this microorganism. The permanent monitoring of hospital water distribution systems is fundamental to preventing the potential risk of nosocomial Legionellosis and to implementing procedures to minimize the risk of <i>Legionella</i> spp. colonization.