Publication details
Mikrobiologické nálezy legionel v průmyslových technologiích v České republice
| Title in English | Microbial findings of Legionellae in industrial technologies in the Czech Republic |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Hygiena |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://apps.szu.cz/svi/hygiena/show.php?kat=archiv/h2013-4-02 |
| Field | Hygiene |
| Keywords | legionella; cooling towers; plastic injection molding industry; glass industry; legionnaires’ disease; occupational disease |
| Description | Legionnaire's disease is an acute bacterial disease affecting the lungs, with severe course and high mortality especially in cases of immunocompromised persons. In epidemiological terms, the origin of the disease can be found in community, travel, hospital, or occupational environment. The most important potential reservoirs for Legionella exposure of people are cooling towers and evaporative condensers, as well as potable water systems and cooling in modern buildings. The authors present the results of microbiological testing of water for the presence of Legionella in industrial technologies and their potential health effects on exposed workers. Laboratory examinations of the working environment in the Czech Republic are available from plastic and glass industry and also from cooling towers. Pathogenic and saprophytic Legionella strains were found in all investigated plants. The highest potential health risks are connected to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, subgroup A - Pontiac. During normal operation the risk of workers’ exposure is relatively low, but it significantly increases during repairs and maintenance operations. The environmental Legionella colonization found in the Czech Republic corresponds to sporadic cases of reported occupational diseases of legionellosis. The solution of the question whether this disease is occupational or not has to be based on criteria of epidemiological surveillance using modern diagnostic and identification methods. |
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