LEGIONELLA
A gram negative
bacillus that is widely distributed in warm, wet environments and is of
particular concern in air-conditioning cooling towers and hot water
systems.
source : http://www.health.qld.gov.au/EndoscopeReprocessing/module_1/1_3d.asp#Cdiff
Disease
-
Legionella pneumophilia is the main cause of legionellosis or Legionnaire's disease
-
other species may also cause disease particularly in immunocompromised patients
Mode of transmission
Legionellosis can be acquired by:-
the inhalation of aeosols containing Legionella
-
by aspiration of water or respiratory secretions containing Legionella
-
by direct instillation during respiratory tract manipulation
Significance in endoscopy
Pseudoepidemics have occured where L. pneumophilia has been found in broncheoalveolar lavage specimens due to contaminated water used to rinse disinfected bronchoscopes, either because of use of tap water for the final rinsing or because of inadequate maintenance of water filters.source : http://www.health.qld.gov.au/EndoscopeReprocessing/module_1/1_3d.asp#Cdiff