title: Recreational vehicle water tanks as a possible source for legionella infections.
abstract: We investigated recreational vehicle (RV) water reservoirs in response to a case of pneumonia in which Legionella pneumophila was cultured both from the patient and a RV reservoir in which he travelled. Water samples processed and cultured at the CDC according to standard protocol were positive for Legionella spp. in 4/17 (24%) faucets, 1/11 (9%) water tanks from 4/20 (20%) RVs from three different campsites. Legionella spp. that were isolated included L. pneumophila (serogroups 1 and 6), L. anisa, L. feeleii, and L. quateriensis. Environmental controls from the potable water of the three campsites were culture-negative. A survey of maintenance practices by the RV users at the campsites revealed that chlorine disinfection of the water tanks was rarely performed. To prevent the possibility of Legionella infections, RV owners should implement regular chlorine disinfection of their water tanks and follow the recommended maintenance guidelines according to their owner's manuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Litwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Bankole
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asebiomo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hafez
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, United States Department of Health and Human Services, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.affiliation: Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC 29802, USA.
authors.forename: Carl B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Fliermans
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, United States Department of Health and Human Services, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
authors.forename: Barry S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fisher