Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology
Published on: February 24, 2026
Prolonged effect of two combined methods for Legionella disinfection in a hospital water system
E Casari1, A Ferrario, A Montanelli
1Microbiology Unit, Clinical Laboratories, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Milan, Italy. erminia.casari@humanitas.it
Abstract:
This study was conducted in our 650 bed general hospital, which is situated on the southern outskirts of Milan (Italy). After a first nosocomial case of pneumonia (caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1), we first used a conventional method (heat shock) without success. To solve the problem we then tried a copper-silver ionization system combined with a chlorine dioxide device. During the four years after the installation of these two systems we recorded a significant (p < or = 0.05) reduction in Legionella colonization, and no new cases of Legionnaires' disease were observed. Our results suggest that the Cu-Ag ionization system, combined with a chlorine dioxide device, is a highly promising method for the control of Legionella pneumophila in a hospital water distribution system.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Influence of Elimination Half-Life on Effect Duration
Antimicrobial Effectiveness
Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration
