title: Soil as a source of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the potential source of a case of Legionnaires' disease caused by an unusual serotype of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1) in regional Victoria in May 2001.
  
  
  METHODS
  Epidemiological and environmental investigation of the source of infection of a case of Legionnaires' disease in regional Victoria in May 2001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Extensive environmental investigations did not reveal any cooling water tower systems close to the residence or the shopping centre that the case visited prior to illness. The sputum culture and a soil sample from the field at the plant nursery where the case worked prior to illness were both positive for Legionella pneumophilia serogroup 1, MDU pulsovar 97:103.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Legionella pneumophila has been found in soil and was further found to be associated with a case of Legionella pneumophila.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public health authorities should consider exposures to soil and potting mixes when investigating cases of Legionella pneumophila where the case has no apparent association with cooling towers. Safe gardening practices should be promoted among the community.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Bundoora. 12wallis@students.latrobe.edu.au
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wallis
authors.forename: Priscilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014739:Victoria