Impact of copper and silver ionization on fungal colonization of the water supply in health care centers: implications for immunocompromised patients.
Copper and silver ionization is a well-recognized disinfection method to control Legionella species in water distribution systems in hospitals. These systems may also serve as a potential indoor reservoir for fungi. The prevalence of fungi was significantly lower in ionized than in nonionized water samples from health care facilities. The clinical consequences of this finding require further investigation.
Pedro-Botet
Maria Luisa
ML
Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol of Badalona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. mlpbotet.germanstrias@gencat.net
Sanchez
Inma
I
Sabria
Miquel
M
Sopena
Nieves
N
Mateu
Lourdes
L
García-Núñez
Marian
M
Rey-Joly
Celestino
C
D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000032:analysis; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007477:Ions / Q000494:pharmacology; D007875:Legionella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
D004202:Disinfectants; D007477:Ions; D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper