WidespreadLegionella pneumophilacontamination of dental stations in a dental school without apparent human infection

Abstract

SUMMARYFollowing isolation ofLegionella pneumophilafrom a special dental station water circuit, used primarily to cool high-speed dental drills which produce fine aerosols, a case finding and environmental survey was undertaken. Widespread colonization of the dental stations was found and the results suggested that amplification of the background levels ofL. pneumophilawas taking place within the stations. However there was no evidence for transmission causing human infection.