Widespread Legionella pneumophila contamination of dental stations in a dental school without apparent human infection

Abstract

Following isolation of Legionella pneumophila from 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 of L. pneumophila was taking place within the stations. However there was no evidence for transmission causing human infection. © 1987, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.