Researchers at Statens Serum Institute, Department of Bacteriology release new data on legionnaire disease epidemiology
2009 JUL 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- Research findings, 'Dynamics of Legionella antibody levels during 1 year in a healthy population,' are discussed in a new report. "A total of 522 Danish blood donors were followed during 2004-2005 to describe the seroepidemiology of Legionella infections in healthy individuals from a general population. Antibodies to Legionella spp. were measured by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test," scientists writing in the journal Epidemiology and Infection report. "The prevalence of Legionella antibodies (titre 1:128) was 26.8% and remained fairly constant during the year of follow-up. However, 6.9% of the blood donors developed a fourfold or greater rise in antibody titres. A history of visits to Danish summer cottages was associated with both Legionella seropositivity (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.02-2.30) and seroconversion (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.21-5.83). There were no consistent associations between either levels of antibody titres or seroconversion and self-reported health symptoms, absence from work due to illness, or to any risk factors," wrote M. Rudbeck and colleagues, Statens Serum Institute, Department of Bacteriology. The researchers concluded: "We conclude that community-acquired Legionella infections are frequent; however, they rarely result in severe illness." Rudbeck and colleagues published their study in Epidemiology and Infection (Dynamics of Legionella antibody levels during 1 year in a healthy population. Epidemiology and Infection, 2009;137(7):1013-8). Additional information can be obtained by contacting M. Rudbeck, Statens Serum Institut, Dept. of Bacteriology, Copenhagen, Denmark. The publisher of the journal Epidemiology and Infection can be contacted at: Cambridge University Press, 32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2473. Keywords: Denmark, Copenhagen, Legionnaire Disease Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Diagnostics, Epidemiology, Legionella, Legionellosis. This article was prepared by World Disease Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, World Disease Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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