A Survey of Methods Used to Detect Nosocomial Legionellosis Among Participants in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 412-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony E. Fiore ◽  
Jay C. Butler ◽  
T. Grace Emori ◽  
Robert P. Gaynes
Keyword(s):  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Environmental Sampling ◽  
Water Sampling ◽  
And Control

Objective:To help define the scope of nosocomial legionnaire's disease (LD) and to assess use of recommended diagnostic methods and transmission control practices.Methods:We surveyed 253 hospitals participating in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System. The anonymous survey included questions about episodes of nosocomial LD, environmental sampling practices, maintenance of hospital water systems, and diagnostic techniques.Results:Of 192 hospitals that responded, 29% reported at least one episode of nosocomial ID from 1990 through 1996, and 61% of these reported at least two episodes. Of 79 hospitals with transplant programs, 42% reported nosocomial LD, compared with 20% of hospitals without transplant programs. Environmental sampling had been conducted by 55% of hospitals, including 79% of those reporting nosocomial LD.Legionellawere isolated in 34% that sampled potable water and 19% that sampled cooling system reservoirs. Supplemental potable-water decontamination systems were installed in 20% of hospitals. Only 19% routinely performed testing for legionellosis among patients at high risk for nosocomial LD.Conclusions:Nosocomial LD is relatively common among NNIS hospitals, especially those performing organ transplants. Environmental sampling forLegionellais a common practice among NNIS hospitals, andLegionellaoften are isolated from sampled hospital cooling towers and hospital potable-water systems. Hospitals have responded to suspected nosocomial LD infection with a variety of water sampling and control strategies; some have not attempted to sample or decontaminate water systems despite identified transmission.

scholarly journals Waterborne microorganisms and biofilms related to hospital infections: strategies for prevention and control in healthcare facilities

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Vannucci Capelletti ◽  
Ângela Maria Moraes
Keyword(s):  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution System ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Hospital Infections ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Microbiological Control ◽  
And Control

Water is the main stimulus for the development of microorganisms, and its flow has an important role in the spreading of contaminants. In hospitals, the water distribution system requires special attention since it can be a source of pathogens, including those in the form of biofilms often correlated with resistance of microorganisms to various treatments. In this paper, information relevant to cases of nosocomial infections involving water circuits as a source of contaminants is compiled, with emphasis on the importance of microbiological control strategies to prevent the installation, spreading and growth of microorganisms in hospitals. An overview of the worldwide situation is provided, with emphasis on Brazilian hospitals. Different approaches normally used to control the occurrence of nosocomial infections due to waterborne contaminants are analyzed, and the use of the polysaccharide chitosan for this specific application is briefly discussed.

scholarly journals Zoonotic Tuberculosis in Humans: Control, Surveillance, and the One Health Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-144
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Macedo Couto ◽  
Otavio T Ranzani ◽  
Eliseu Alves Waldman
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
One Health ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
And Control

Abstract Zoonotic tuberculosis is a reemerging infectious disease in high-income countries and a neglected one in low- and middle-income countries. Despite major advances in its control as a result of milk pasteurization, its global burden is unknown, especially due the lack of surveillance data. Additionally, very little is known about control strategies. The purpose of this review was to contextualize the current knowledge about the epidemiology of zoonotic tuberculosis and to describe the available evidence regarding surveillance and control strategies in high-, middle-, and low-income countries. We conducted this review enriched by a One Health perspective, encompassing its inherent multifaceted characteristics. We found that the burden of zoonotic tuberculosis is likely to be underreported worldwide, with higher incidence in low-income countries, where the surveillance systems are even more fragile. Together with the lack of specific political commitment, surveillance data is affected by lack of a case definition and limitations of diagnostic methods. Control measures were dependent on risk factors and varied greatly between countries. This review supports the claim that a One Health approach is the most valuable concept to build capable surveillance systems, resulting in effective control measures. The disease characteristics and suggestions to implement surveillance and control programs are discussed.

scholarly journals Development of Diagnostic Tests Provides Technical Support for the Control of African Swine Fever

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 343
Author(s):  
Zilong Qiu ◽  
Zhaoyao Li ◽  
Quanhui Yan ◽  
Yuwan Li ◽  
Wenjie Xiong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Clinical Test ◽  
Pork Production ◽  
And Control

African swine fever is a highly contagious global disease caused by the African swine fever virus. Since African swine fever (ASF) was introduced to Georgia in 2007, it has spread to many Eurasian countries at an extremely fast speed. It has recently spread to China and other major pig-producing countries in southeast Asia, threatening global pork production and food security. As there is no available vaccine at present, prevention and control must be carried out based on early detection and strict biosecurity measures. Early detection should be based on the rapid identification of the disease on the spot, followed by laboratory diagnosis, which is essential for disease control. In this review, we introduced the prevalence, transmission routes, eradication control strategies, and diagnostic methods of ASF. We reviewed the various methods of diagnosing ASF, focusing on their technical characteristics and clinical test results. Finally, we give some prospects for improving the diagnosis strategy in the future.

Long-term care Legionella prevention and control strategies: Experiences of nursing homes in Florida and Georgia

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 246-249
Author(s):  
Sarah C Blake ◽  
Jonathan N Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Legionnaires Disease ◽  
Legionella Prevention ◽  
And Control

Background: Over the past several years, there have been more than 100 confirmed cases in US healthcare facilities of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe and potentially fatal pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium found in contaminated water systems. Older people and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to Legionella, putting long-term care patients at greater risk of infection. Past efforts to address this growing environmental health crisis have been limited to local surveillance programs for testing water systems in multi-family housing units. In June 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) required Medicare-certified healthcare facilities to establish water management programs to reduce the risk of Legionella. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study (surveys, interviews) to examine the adoption and implementation of these guidelines as well as existing Legionella prevention and control strategies in nursing homes in Florida and Georgia. Results: Findings reveal that most nursing homes in these states do not test their water systems for Legionella because either they have never experienced an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease or do not have a large water system for testing. Conclusion: Nursing home administrators know of the new CMS Legionella testing requirements and are currently developing water management plans.

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