ELECTRIC SHOWERS AS A CONTROL MEASURE FOR LEGIONELLA SPP, IN A RENAL-TRANSPLANT UNIT IN SAO-PAULO, BRAZIL

After an outbreak of legionnaires' disease Legionella pneumophila seco group 1 in a renal transplant unit Sao Paulo, Brazil, periodic hyperch lorination and flushing of pipes were instituted as control measures. These were only partially effective as every two to five months water cultures turned positive or new cases of the disease occurred. In Nove mber 1993 the hot water was disconnected from the unit and small, plas tic electric showers were installed in each bathroom. Over a period of 12 months water from showers and taps was cultured for Legionella spp . every two weeks. On only one occasion was a water culture positive f or L. pneumophila from a sink tap. No water sample obtained from showe rs was positive during the study period. No cases of legionnaires' dis ease occurred. We considered the use of electric showers an inexpensiv e and effective method of controlling the problem of Legionella spp. i n the water system of our renal transplant unit.