Exposure of Water Consumers to Mesophilic Actinomycetes

Overview

Journal J Hyg (Lond)

Publisher Cambridge University Press

Specialty Public Health

Date 1983 Dec 1

PMID 6663066

Citations 1

Authors

T H Ojanen

M L Katila

R Mantyjarvi

H Seppanen

A MUITTARI

P Kuusisto

P Virtanen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In autumn 1978 an epidemic of respiratory disease resembling allergic alveolitis occurred in a small Finnish community. The disease was caused by repeated exposures to tap water aerosol. The raw water of the community and the sand filters of the purification system were heavily contaminated with mesophilic actinomycetes. Fourteen different strains of actinomycetes were isolated. Exposed persons with and without symptoms as well as unexposed control persons were tested for antibodies against five of these actinomycetes and against Enterobacter agglomerans. Both the exposed and the control persons had antibodies to actinomycetes but the exposed persons had antibodies against more actinomycete strains than the control persons. Precipitating antibodies against E. agglomerans were also found in control persons as well as in patients. There was a significant difference between the patients and the exposed healthy persons in bacterial agglutination tests with flagellar antigen of one E. agglomerans strain. However, the role of mesophilic actinomycetes and E. agglomerans in the aetiology of the disease could not be firmly established.

Citing Articles

Recreational and occupational field exposure to freshwater cyanobacteria--a review of anecdotal and case reports, epidemiological studies and the challenges for epidemiologic assessment.

Stewart I, Webb P, Schluter P, Shaw G Environ Health. 2006; 5:6.

PMID: 16563159 PMC: 1513208. DOI: 10.1186/1476-069X-5-6.

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