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Potable water as a source for legionellosis.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|October 1, 1985
Summary
Potable water is a potential source of Legionellosis, with strain similarities and outbreak cessation supporting this link. However, specific exposure routes remain unclear, and routine prevention is not yet recommended.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Public health
- Infectious disease epidemiology
Background:
- Legionellosis is a serious respiratory infection.
- Potable water systems are suspected reservoirs for Legionella bacteria.
- Previous studies show mixed success in linking water sources to outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the evidence implicating potable water as a source of Legionellosis.
- To identify effective modes of exposure and transmission.
- To assess the efficacy of control measures.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on Legionella in potable water.
- Comparison of bacterial strains from patients and water systems.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on outbreak investigations.
- Evaluation of control strategies like hyperchlorination and temperature adjustments.
Main Results:
- Strong evidence includes matching strains from patients and water, and outbreak reduction after system remediation.
- Epidemiological studies failed to pinpoint specific exposure routes (e.g., ingestion).
- Legionella pneumophila can be acquired from potable water, but the proportion of cases and role in other Legionellae infections are unknown.
Conclusions:
- Potable water is a confirmed, albeit not fully quantified, source for Legionellosis.
- Control measures are effective during outbreaks but not routinely justified.
- Further research is needed to determine the exact role of potable water in Legionella transmission.