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Outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Glasgow Royal Infirmary: microbiological aspects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

M. C. Timbury ,
J. R. Donaldson ,
A. C. McCartney ,
R. J. Fallon ,
J. D. Sleigh ,
D. Lyon ,
G. V. Orange ,
D. R. Baird ,
J. Winter  and
T. S. Wilson
M. C. Timbury
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Bacteriology
J. R. Donaldson
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Bacteriology
A. C. McCartney
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Bacteriology
R. J. Fallon
Affiliation:
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow;
J. D. Sleigh
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Bacteriology
D. Lyon
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Bacteriology
G. V. Orange
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Bacteriology
D. R. Baird
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Department of Bacteriology
J. Winter
Affiliation:
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary;
T. S. Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine, Greater Glasgow Health Board, Glasgow
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Summary

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The bacteriological investigation of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Glasgow Royal Infirmary affecting 16 patients is described. Most of the patients had been treated in high-dependency areas on two floors of the hospital supplied by the same two air-conditioned ventilation systems. The source of infection was traced to contamination of a cooling tower from which a plume of spray discharged into the intake vents of the two ventilation systems. Rubber grommets within the cooling tower probably provided a nidus of infection there. The control and management of the outbreak are discussed: a policy of frankness about the course and progress of the investigations was adopted and helped to allay anxiety on the part of both staff and media.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 97 , Issue 3 , December 1986 , pp. 393 - 403
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

References

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