In:
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 20, No. 12 ( 1999-12), p. 793-797
Abstract:
To describe the molecular epidemiology of Legionella pneumophila infections in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). Design: Molecular epidemiological study using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Setting: A large university teaching hospital. Isolates: All surviving isolates obtained from culture-proven nosocomial L pneumophila infections and all surviving isolates obtained from the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics' water supply between 1981 and 1993. Results: Thirty-three isolates from culture-proven nosocomial cases of L pneumophila pneumonia were available for typing. PFGE of genomic DNA from the clinical isolates identified six different strains. However, only strain C (16 cases) and strain D (13 cases) caused more than 1 case. Strain C caused clusters of nosocomial infection in 1981, 1986, and 1993 and also caused 4 sporadic cases. Strain D caused a cluster in 1987 and 1988 plus 4 sporadic cases. Of the six strains causing clinical infections, only strains C and D were identified in water samples. PFGE identified three strains in the water supply, of which strains C and D caused clinical disease and also persisted in the water supply during most of the study period. Conclusion: Specific strains of L pneumophila can colonize hospital water supplies and cause nosocomial infections over long periods of time.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0899-823X
,
1559-6834
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
1999
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2106319-9
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