The investigation of suspected Legionellosis cases in family aggregation

Su Hsun-Pi

2008 Vol.24 NO.2

Correspondence Author： Su Hsun-Pi

Abstract：

Taiwan CDC received report of a suspected Legionellosis case on December 30, 2005. During the outbreak investigation and specimen collection, it was suspected that there is an aggregate of cases within the family. After further investigation, the investigation confirmed the index case to be legionellosis. The source of infection was the non-filter drinking fountain in the house. The investigation also eliminated the possibility of family aggregate of legionellosis. The non-filter drinking fountain contained Legionella pneumophila serogroup 8. Furthermore, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to compare environmental strains between historic isolates and the investigation’s strain. The study found the patterns of PEGE were different. The results showed there aremore than 2 types of L. pneumophila serogroup 8 in Taiwan.
Key words：Legionella pneumophila serogroup 8 (Lp8), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), polymerase chain reaction (PCR)