This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bridge, J A Articles by Edelstein, P H Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bridge, J A Articles by Edelstein, P H

Oropharyngeal colonization with Legionella pneumophila.

ABSTRACT

A total of 186 volunteers, including 40 hospital patients, participated in a cross-sectional survey of oropharyngeal colonization with Legionella pneumophila. Colonization was defined as the appearance of any L. pneumophila organisms on culture or a positive direct fluorescent-antibody (FA) test or both in the absence of signs or symptoms of pneumonia. The direct FA tests were performed on throat swabs, using a polyvalent conjugate directed against L. pneumophila serogroups I through IV. Throat swabs were cultured for L. pneumophila on a selective medium. Blood specimens were tested for antibody, using an indirect FA test and heat-killed polyvalent antigen for L. pneumophila serogroups I through IV. Eight people, none of whom had pneumonia or fever, had positive direct FA tests; no subject had a positive culture for L. pneumophila. Whether the positive direct FA results represent colonization cannot be stated with assurance. In any case, the results suggest that colonization occurs infrequently.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Jaresova, M., Petrickova, K., Korcakova, L., Bohmova, R., Puchmajerova, J., Zazula, R., Striz, I., Totusek, P., Hlozanek, I. (2003). Legionella Pneumophila Airway Colonisation in Patients Admitted to Hospital. Indoor and Built Environment 12: 25-29 [Abstract]  
• Andersen, P. (1998). Lung infections bullet  4: Pathogenesis of lower respiratory tract infections due to Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Legionella and viruses. Thorax 53: 302-307 [Full Text]