Abstract
It has been analyzed 36 samples of water proceeding from beach
shower facilities: 7 of these were found to be contaminated with
Legionella (19.44%). In three showers, L. pneumophila 1 was
reported, in two L. pneumophila 2-14; in another two cases L.
pneumophila 2-14 was found together with Legionella sp. and L.
pneumophila 1 together with L. pneumophila 2-14.
This study, which confirms the circulation of Legionella in our
region of southern Italy, extends the list of the possible sources
of infection, including also public and private beaches among
the contaminated sites.
It is the Authors opinion that when evaluating the risk in these
cases we should take into account that the crowding of the
beaches in the summer months and the communal nature of
shower use in these periods increases the frequency of exposure
of children and old people. These vulnerable categories are significantly
more likely to develop the disease once infected.
