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Updated: May 7, 2026

Legionella pneumophila Outer Membrane Vesicles: Isolation and Analysis of Their Pro-inflammatory Potential on Macrophages
Published on: February 22, 2017
Hospital washbasin water: risk of Legionella-contaminated aerosol inhalation
P Cassier1, C Landelle, M Reyrolle
1Groupement Hospitalier Edouard Herriot, Service d'Hygiène, Epidémiologie et Prévention, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Centre National de Référence des Légionelles, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.
Abstract:
The contamination of aerosols by washbasin water colonized by Legionella in a hospital was evaluated. Aerosol samples were collected by two impingement technologies. Legionella was never detected by culture in all the (aerosol) samples. However, 45% (18/40) of aerosol samples were positive for Legionella spp. by polymerase chain reaction, with measurable concentrations in 10% of samples (4/40). Moreover, immunoassay detected Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 and L. anisa, and potentially viable bacteria were seen on viability testing. These data suggest that colonized hospital washbasins could represent risks of exposure to Legionella aerosol inhalation, especially by immunocompromised patients.
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