Direct demonstration and isolation of Legionella pneumophila (serogroup 1) from bathroom water specimens in a hotel.

Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 organisms were isolated from one sample of water originating from a shower head in a bathroom of a hotel. Seven of the 16 swab specimens collected from 2 different sites of the hotel bathrooms revealed fluorescing bacteria in direct fluorescent antibody test. The significance of present observations in relation to the cluster of L. pneumophila infections diagnosed recently in Berlin among a group of visitors who stayed in this hotel has been discussed.