[Epidemiological studies on legionella infection in Taiyuan area of Shanxi Province].

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence and epidemic features of legionella infection in Taiyuan area of Shanxi Province.

METHODS

IgM and IgG antibodies against 15 types of nine species of legionella were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for out-patients, in-patients and healthy population.

RESULTS

Positive IgM to legionella accounted for 17.4% in adult patients and 13.2% in child patients, with the highest infection rate both in the adults and children with acute respiratory infection and prevalent in the summer. The peak age of infection was at 30 to 50 years old for adults. Incidence of acute legionella infection in children increased with age. Acute infection occurred in six patients two weeks after their hospitalization with positive IgM against legionella. In healthy population, infection rate was the highest in employees of coal mines (36.7%) and the lowest in urban children (9.5%). Legionella micdadei and legionella pneumophila were the two most common causes of infection in adults and children patients and Legionella pneumophila in healthy population.

CONCLUSION

Legionella are common pathogen of infections, possible to cause nosocomial infection. Legionella infection is also common in healthy population, especially in those often exposed occupationally to water and soil.