Panic in the potting shed. The association between Legionella longbeachae serogroup 1 and potting soils in Australia.
Is gardening a health hazard? Legionella longbeachae, a potential cause of pneumonia, has been found in Australian potting media. However, further research is needed to determine its clinical relevance in this situation. This did not stop the popular media linking two deaths from Legionella infection in Queensland to potting mix exposure.
Ruehlemann
S A
SA
Rhône-Poulenc Rorer Australia Pty Ltd., Mt Gravatt, QLD.
Crawford
G R
GR
D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D007875:Legionella / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007876:Legionellosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012988:Soil Microbiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial