title: Control of Legionella contamination in a hospital water distribution system by monochloramine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report the results of 1-year application of monochloramine to control Legionella pneumophila contamination in a hospital hot water distribution system.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the main building of the hospital, a device continuously distributing monochloramine was installed. Legionella pneumophila and Pseudomonas spp contamination was followed in comparison with 2 other water networks in the same building using chlorine dioxide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Monochloramine significantly reduced the number of contaminated sites compared with baseline (from 97.0% to 13.3%, respectively), chlorine dioxide device I (from 100% to 56.7%, respectively), and device II (from 100% to 60.8%, respectively). No positive sample exceeded 10(4) colony-forming units/L versus 59.4% at baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monochloramine could represent a good alternative to chlorine dioxide in controlling legionellae contamination in public and private buildings.
authors: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Marchesi
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Cencetti
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Marchegiano
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Frezza
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Borella
authors: Annalisa
authors: A
authors: Bargellini
mesh_terms: D002700:Chloramines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017606:Chlorine Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D002700:Chloramines; D017606:Chlorine Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants; D010087:Oxides; C025109:chlorine dioxide; C030816:chloramine