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Survival of virulent Legionella pneumophila in aerosols

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

P. Hambleton ,
M. G. Broster ,
P. J. Dennis ,
R. Henstridge ,
R. Fitzgeorge  and
J. W. Conlan
P. Hambleton
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire
M. G. Broster
Affiliation:
Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire
P. J. Dennis
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire
R. Henstridge
Affiliation:
Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire
R. Fitzgeorge
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire
J. W. Conlan
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire
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Summary

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Aqueous suspensions of virulent Legionellapneumophila grown on solid medium retained virulence and aerosol survival characteristics for several months. Significant numbers of viable organisms were recovered from aerosols held at various relative humidities (r.h.) for up to 2 h. The organisms survived best at 65% r.h. and were least stable at 55% r.h.

Exponential phase broth-grown organisms survived poorly in aerosols in comparison with stationary phase broth cultures or organisms grown on solid medium, suggesting that the metabolic status of Legionella pneumophila organisms may be an important factor affecting their ability to survive in aerosols and cause respiratory disease.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 90 , Issue 3 , June 1983 , pp. 451 - 460
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

References

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