Abstract

GEA-IZQUIERDO, Enrique. Approach to the risk of Legionella spp. in health centres in the south of Spain . Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2012, vol.52, n.2, pp.269-274. ISSN 1690-4648.

Legionellosis is a respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Legionella spp. When this colonizes artificial mediums it shows a health risk, especially in environments with particularly sensitive or exposed population. The health centre environment is presented as vulnerable, where it is usual to identify sources of development and proliferation of biological agent. The aim of this study is to establish the relationship between seasonal use of water cooling systems and the presence of Legionella pneumophila, and to investigate certain preventive methods of water disinfection on the above variables. In 2008, a study was performed in four health centres situated in Andalusia (Spain) including seven cooling towers located on them. Through a descriptive analysis and the use of measures of association, these findings were identified: a high count (>10,000 CFU/l) in annual operating devices, according to the methods of disinfection a lower risk in seasonal facilities, and independence between the count of the bacterium and seasonal nature of the systems. At health level and in order to prevent the presence of the bacterium in southern Spain, environmental studies and routine monitoring of sanitary maintenance of facilities with risk of development of Legionella spp. are considered mandatory.

Keywords : Legionella spp; risk; health centre; Andalusia; Spain.

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