title: [Case study of a Legionella epidemic in a rehabilitation clinic].
abstract: A series of nosocomial Legionella infections in a rehabilitation center is reported. In a three months period a total of 10 pneumonias with 3 deaths occurred (8 patients, 1 companion, 1 staff member). Serologic analysis proved additional Legionella infections within the nursing staff. The warm-water system was proved to be the source of infection by isolating Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 subtype Pontiac both in warm-water and patients samples. The air conditioning system could not be ruled out as another (secondary) route of exposure because of shortcomings in construction. Conclusions about prevention and the course of the disease are discussed and standards for warm-water and air conditioning systems are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets, Gelsenkirchen.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nechwatal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Exner
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Klatte
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ehret
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000389:Air Conditioning; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply
vernacular_title: Kasuistik einer Legionellen-Epidemie in einer Rehabilitationsklinik.