Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Waterborne Nosocomial Infections

Squier1, Yu, Stout

  • 1Infectious Disease Section 111E-U, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA. vly+@pitt.edu

Current Infectious Disease Reports
|November 30, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Hospital water systems harbor dangerous pathogens like Pseudomonas and Legionella, causing infections. Interventions like disinfection and hand hygiene are crucial to prevent outbreaks in healthcare settings.

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare-associated infections
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious disease epidemiology

Background:

  • Waterborne pathogens pose a significant threat in healthcare facilities, leading to outbreaks despite existing guidelines.
  • Common culprits include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella species, nontuberculous mycobacteria, and opportunistic fungi like Fusarium.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent reports on infections caused by waterborne pathogens in healthcare settings.
  • To highlight the link between hospital water systems and patient infections, emphasizing transmission routes and control measures.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature and case reports on waterborne pathogen infections in hospitals.
  • Utilized molecular subtyping to confirm the link between environmental isolates and patient infections.

Main Results:

  • Identical strains of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Fusarium were found in both hospital water systems and infected patients.
  • Transmission pathways include direct contact, ingestion, aspiration, and aerosolization of contaminated water, as well as healthcare worker contamination.

Conclusions:

  • Hospital water systems are a reservoir for pathogens causing nosocomial infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Effective interventions include antimicrobial hand hygiene, water system disinfection, and restricting tap water use for high-risk patients.

More Related Videos

Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants11:35

Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants

Published on: May 4, 2018

Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology06:27

Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology

Published on: February 24, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Reservoir of Infection01:30

Reservoir of Infection

Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...