Detection of the Legionella Species in Water used in Dental Units. Maracaibo, Venezuela

  • Lisette Sandrea Toledo Professional Practice Chair of Bacteriology, Bacteriological Reference Center. Maracaibo University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zulia.
  • América Paz Montes Professional Practice Chair of Bacteriology, Bacteriological Reference Center. Maracaibo University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zulia.
  • Eyilde Piña Reyes Professional Practice Chair of Bacteriology, Bacteriological Reference Center. Maracaibo University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zulia.
  • María Sandrea Fereira Faculty of Dentistry University of Zulia.
  • Javiera Navarro Faculty of Dentistry University of Zulia.
  • María Paula Chacín Faculty of Dentistry University of Zulia.
Keywords: Legionella pneumophila, water, microbiological quality, dental units

Abstract

The presence of any microorganism in the water used in dental units constitutes a serious danger for both the patient and the personnel that work there. The present investigation had two aims: 1) To implement and compare two microbiological water analysis techniques for studying the Legionella species; and 2) To detect the presence of Legionella in the water used for hand-held equipment in dental clinics used by dentistry students at the University of Zulia. Two comparative techniques were standardized: CDC and ISO-11731, using samples prepared with the Legionella pneumophila strain ATCC 33155 and a bacteriological study of 40 water samples from four (4) dentistry teaching clinics located in the Faculty of Dentistry at LUZ, using the two aforementioned methodologies. Results showed that both techniques were sensitive to isolating Legionella in water samples, but the acid treatment was more effective than warming. Despite the use of both techniques, the presence of Legionella was not detected in any of the water samples analyzed. This study served as a basis for implementing quality control related to isolating Legionella in the waters used on a hospital level.

Published
2009-06-07
How to Cite
1.
Sandrea Toledo L, Paz Montes A, Piña Reyes E, Sandrea Fereira M, Navarro J, Chacín MP. Detection of the Legionella Species in Water used in Dental Units. Maracaibo, Venezuela. Kasmera [Internet]. 2009Jun.7 [cited 2024Dec.18];37(1):7-15. Available from: https://mail.produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/kasmera/article/view/4835
Issue
Vol. 37 No. 1 (2009)
Section
Original Articles

Copyright (c) 2009 Lisette Sandrea Toledo, América Paz Montes, Eyilde Piña Reyes, María Sandrea Fereira, Javiera Navarro, María Paula Chacín

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