Hospital-acquired legionnaires disease in a university hospital: impact of the copper-silver ionization system

Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Jan 15;44(2):263-5. doi: 10.1086/510430. Epub 2006 Dec 14.

Abstract

We evaluated the impact of the copper-silver ionization system in a hospital where hyperendemic nosocomial legionellosis and was present and all previous disinfection measures had failed. After implementation of the copper-silver ionization system, environmental colonization with Legionella species decreased significantly, and the incidence of nosocomial legionellosis decreased dramatically, from 2.45 to 0.18 cases per 1000 patient discharges.

MeSH terms

  • Air Ionization
  • Copper*
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Disinfection
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Legionella / isolation & purification
  • Legionnaires' Disease / epidemiology*
  • Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital / methods*
  • Silver*
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Silver
  • Copper