title: Serological examinations for antibodies against Legionella species in dental personnel.
abstract: Serum samples from 107 dentists, dental assistants, and dental technicians were examined with an indirect immunofluorescence test for antibodies to Legionella pneumophila SG1-SG6, L. micdadei, L. bozemanii, L. dumoffii, L. gormanii, L. jordanis, and L. longbeachae SG1 + 2. Thirty-six (34%) employees from dental personnel from 13 practices showed a positive reaction for antibodies to Legionella pneumophila. Only five samples (5%) from a control group (non-medical workers) were positive. Of the 36 positive serum samples, 13 (36%) reacted with Serogroup 6, 12 with SG 1 (33%), 12 with SG 5 (33%), and three with SG 4 (8%), and eight samples were positive for antibodies to other Legionella species. Dentists had the highest prevalence (50%) of L. pneumophila antibodies, followed by assistants (38%) and technicians (20%). These results indicate that dental personnel are at an increased risk of legionella infection.
authors.affiliation: Hygiene Institute, University of Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Reinthaler
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mascher
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stünzner
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D003797:Dental Staff; D003815:Dentists; D006801:Humans; D007875:Legionella / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial