Bertha Angélica Bonilla Escobar1, Juan Carlos Montero Rubio2, Guadalupe Martínez Juárez3. 1. Unidad Docente de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública de Castilla-La Mancha, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Consejería de Sanidad y Asuntos Sociales de Castilla-La Mancha, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, España. 2. Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Consejería de Sanidad y Asuntos Sociales de Castilla-La Mancha, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, España. 3. Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Consejería de Sanidad y Asuntos Sociales de Castilla-La Mancha, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, España. Electronic address: gumartinez@jccm.es.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Legionellosis is an uncommon cause of pneumonia in children and even more exceptionally in healthy children. The purpose of this study is to describe the procedure which led to the identification of an unusual source of legionella infection, in a healthy girl, and highlight the need to adopt preventive measures. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: A 4-year old girl without any risk factors was diagnosed of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. After investigating the environment, it was found that the source of the transmission was a home humidifier. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that this equipment is classified with a low probability of spreading legionella, a lack of cleanliness and maintenance of these machines can increase the risk of transmission of the bacteria. Therefore, healthcare professionals must give adequate advice to their patients about the care of this equipment and how to use these machines properly.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Legionellosis is an uncommon cause of pneumonia in children and even more exceptionally in healthy children. The purpose of this study is to describe the procedure which led to the identification of an unusual source of legionella infection, in a healthy girl, and highlight the need to adopt preventive measures. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: A 4-year old girl without any risk factors was diagnosed of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. After investigating the environment, it was found that the source of the transmission was a home humidifier. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that this equipment is classified with a low probability of spreading legionella, a lack of cleanliness and maintenance of these machines can increase the risk of transmission of the bacteria. Therefore, healthcare professionals must give adequate advice to their patients about the care of this equipment and how to use these machines properly.