Risk Assessment of Legionellosis in Cardiology Units.

Abstract

Infective Endocarditis (IE) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. Nowadays, in addition to classic pathogens were isolated exigent Gram negative bacteria as A. baumannii, A. lwoffii, C. burnetii, Bartonella, Chlamydia and Legionella. We present our experience of Legionella isolations in environmental sample (water and air) collected from the Cardiology units belonging a two hospitals in Messina (Italy). Sample size  has been established in function of hospital beds. A total of 80 samples were carried out. 30 and 50, respectively in the first and in the second structure: 55 of water and 25 of aerosol.The positivity of 30% of the water samples analyzed  and 15% of those aerosol strengthens the conviction of the need for greater environmental monitoring, especially in the wards at high risk.

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