Piperdam outbreak: advice on killer bug Apr 19, 2008
There are actually several pneumonia-like diseases caused by different types of legionella bacteria, known as legionellosis. Anyone can be infected by legionella bacteria, but older people (over 45), smokers, heavy drinkers, those suffering from chronic breathing problems or kidney disease, and those with impaired immune systems (eg HIV positive) are more likely to develop life-threatening symptoms. (Evening Telegraph)
CDTA aims to fix sanitation risk Aug 9, 2007
Legionnaires' disease, also known as Legionellosis, became widely known in 1976, when many people attending an American Legion convention in Philadelphia became sick. The disease can be very serious, even fatal in some cases, but it also can be treated successfully with antibiotics, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. (Albany Times Union)
Controlling Antibiotics And Antibiotic Resistance In Hospitals Oct 13, 2006
In one of the first national studies on guidelines that control antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in hospitals, researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine, the Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Richard Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center report that hospitals that follow national guidelines on controlling antibiotic use have lower rates of antibiotic resistance. In a study published in the October issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the... (Science Daily)
Legionnaires' Case Closes NJ Courthouse Sep 16, 2006
Legionellosis is a serious form of pneumonia, dubbed "Legionnaires' disease" after a 1976 outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Indoor cases are often associated with poorly maintained cooling towers and potable water systems, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (Forbes)
N.J. Courthouse Closes Over Legionnaires' Disease Sep 16, 2006
An independent title searcher who works out of the office of the County Clerk was diagnosed with a presumptive case of legionellosis. Court officials learned of the case Thursday afternoon and closed the courthouse immediately to begin testing. (WNBC.com, NY)
Mortality Rate Is Twice As High In Patients With Pneumonia Caused By Highly Resistant Bacteria Aug 30, 2006
Patients suffering from hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria that is highly resistant to virtually all antibiotics are twice as likely to die as patients infected with other, less resistant bacteria. A study published recently in the journal Critical Care shows for the first time that the highly resistant, metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with a much higher mortality rate than other types of the bacteria in patients with hospital-acquired... (Science Daily)
Cooling Towers May Host New Pathogens Aug 29, 2006
Cooling towers may be hot spots where new forms of disease-causing bacteria emerge, scientists report. Sharon G. Berk and colleagues set out to determine whether cooling towers -- fixtures that extract waste heat and provide cooled water for air-conditioning, manufacturing and electric power generation -- encourage a worrisome relationship between amoebae and bacterial pathogens of amoebae (single-celled organisms that dwell in water). (Science Daily)
Read more... Jul 8, 2006
Under normal circumstances, outbreaks of legionellosis are relatively small in comparison, but they can often be more dangerous than those caused by other microbiological agents. Several studies have isolated Legionella spp. (PNN Online)
Qantas worker has legionnaire's disease Jun 2, 2006
The Qantas memo also said tests completed on April 19 indicated "there was no Legionellosis bacteria present at Sydney Airport at that time". "We can confirm that one of our Sydney-based aircraft cleaners has been diagnosed with legionnaires' disease," A Qantas spokesman said. (The Age)
New Study Calculates Millions Of Years Saved In Lives Of AIDS Patients Jun 2, 2006
-- Legionellosis is an infection caused by species of the bacterium Legionella, most notably L. pneumophila. At least 46 species and 70 serogroups have been identified. (Science Daily)
Airport legionnaires' spread 'unlikely' Jun 1, 2006
Advertisement: The Qantas memo also said tests completed on April 19 indicated "there was no Legionellosis bacteria present at Sydney Airport at that time". "We can confirm that one of our Sydney-based aircraft cleaners has been diagnosed with legionnaires' disease," A Qantas spokesman said today. (NEWS.com.au)
Rain Ups Legionnaire's Risk Jan 1, 2006
A sharp increase Legionnaire's disease in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area in recent years, which had been characterized by unusually heavy rainfall, led local epidemiologists to investigate the seasonality of legionellosis and the potential role of weather. When they looked at 240 cases of legionellosis -- 90 percent of which were sporadic -- that had occurred in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties, they found that these cases occurred predictably and... (MEDLINEplus)
