Prevalence of legionella waterline contamination and Legionella pneumophila antibodies in general dental practitioners in London and rural Northern Ireland

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of legionellae in dental unit waterlines (DUWL) in general dental practices in London and rural Northern Ireland and whether the organism occurs at a high enough frequency and magnitude in DUWL to represent a threat to dentists' health.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Two hundred and sixty six (166 London, 100 Northern Ireland) randomly selected dental surgeries were recruited. Standardised 250 ml water samples were taken from the DUWL and 1 litre samples from the surgery cold water tap to measure the prevalence of legionellae. The dentists provided a blood sample for legionella serology.

RESULTS

The prevalence of legionellae was very low (0.37%). Legionellae were not isolated from DUWL or surgery basin taps in Northern Ireland. Legionella spp were isolated from the DUWL and surgery basin of one practice in London and from the cold water supply of a further three practices. The prevalence of Legionella pneumophila antibodies was less than that seen in a comparable group of London blood donors.

CONCLUSION

The risk to dentists' health from potential exposure to legionellae in this cohort of dentists was very low and this was confirmed by the very low seroprevalence and antibody titres to legionella detected in the dentists.

Localized prepubertal periodontitis in a 5-year-old child: investigations and clinical observations over a 3-year period

A 5-year-old boy presented with persistent generalized gingival inflammation. Clinical and radiographic examination supplemented by immunological and microbiological investigation led to a diagnosis of localized prepubertal periodontitis. The child was subsequently monitored for 3 years and despite treatment there was continued bone loss related to his primary teeth. This case highlights the need for liaison between specialists in paediatric dentistry, periodontology, immunology and microbiology in order to diagnose prepubertal periodontitis and to establish a rational basis for treatment to prevent progression to juvenile periodontitis.