Stout J E, Lin Y S, Goetz A M, Muder R R
Special Pathogens Laboratory, Veterans' Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15240, USA.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1998 Dec;19(12):911-4.
To evaluate the effect of copper-silver ionization on Legionella colonization and nosocomial legionnaires' disease and to compare the efficacy of metal ions versus the superheat-and-flush method of disinfection.
Prospective determination over a 36-month period of copper and silver ion concentrations in the recirculating hot-water system, Legionella colonization of the hospital water distribution system, and cases of nosocomial legionnaires' disease. Retrospective comparison of results with the previous 13 years, during which the superheat-and-flush method was used.
The Pittsburgh Veterans' Affairs Health Care System (University Drive Division) acute-care hospital.
Three copper-silver ionization systems were installed on the hot-water distribution system in November 1994.
The average number of cases of legionnaires' disease per year and the percentage of distal sites positive for Legionella pneumophila for the superheat-and-flush method versus the copper-silver ionization method was six cases with 15% positivity versus two cases with 4% positivity, respectively. The reduction in Legionella colonization after copper-silver ionization was significant (P<.05) compared to the superheat and flush. Mean copper and silver ion concentrations (mg/L) were 0.29 and 0.054 from hot-water tanks, and 0.17 and 0.04 from distal outlets, respectively.
We conclude that a properly maintained and monitored copper-silver ionization system was more effective than the superheat-and-flush method for reducing the recovery of Legionella from the hospital water distribution system.
评估铜银离子化对军团菌定植及医院内军团病的影响，并比较金属离子消毒与过热冲洗消毒方法的效果。
对循环热水系统中铜离子和银离子浓度、医院供水系统中军团菌定植情况以及医院内军团病病例进行为期36个月的前瞻性测定。回顾性比较此前13年使用过热冲洗法时的结果。
匹兹堡退伍军人事务医疗保健系统（大学路分部）急症医院。
1994年11月在热水分配系统上安装了3个铜银离子化系统。
过热冲洗法与铜银离子化法相比，每年军团病病例平均数量及嗜肺军团菌远端位点阳性百分比分别为6例及15%阳性和2例及4%阳性。与过热冲洗相比，铜银离子化后军团菌定植的减少具有显著性（P<0.05）。热水箱中铜离子和银离子的平均浓度（mg/L）分别为0.29和0.054，远端出水口分别为0.17和0.04。
我们得出结论，一个维护良好且经过监测的铜银离子化系统在减少医院供水系统中军团菌检出方面比过热冲洗法更有效。
