Legionnaires' disease on an oil drilling platform in the Mediterranean : a case report

Abstract

Legionella pneumophila, the aetiological agent of legionnaires' disease, appears to be ubiquitous in moist natural environments and has been found in

non-disease associated natural waters, often in con- centrations of 106 organisms/litre, at temperatures

ranging from 5 to 65C. The investigation of outbreaks has shown that hot water systems in large buildings are the most important source of epidemic legionella infections but

cooling water systems serving air conditioning equip- ment and whirlpool spas have also been implicated.

Although the route of transmission has not always been determined, evidence for the role of inhalation of aerosolised contaminated water has often been obtained. An oil drilling sea platform consitututes a fully isolated environment where healthy workers can come into contact with few potential sources of legionella: we report the investigation of a case in such an environment.