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Review
. 2022 Jan 24;10(2):255.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10020255.

Legionella pneumophila-Virulence Factors and the Possibility of Infection in Dental Practice

Jasminka Talapko  1 , Erwin Frauenheim  1 , Martina Juzbašić  1 , Matej Tomas  1 , Suzana Matić  1   2 , Melita Jukić  1   3 , Marija Samardžić  1 , Ivana Škrlec  1
Affiliations
Review

Legionella pneumophila-Virulence Factors and the Possibility of Infection in Dental Practice

Jasminka Talapko et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

Legionella pneumophila is defined as a bacterium that can cause severe pneumonia. It is found in the natural environment and in water, and is often found in water tanks. It can be an integral part of biofilms in nature, and the protozoa in which it can live provide it with food and protect it from harmful influences; therefore, it has the ability to move into a sustainable but uncultured state (VBNC). L. pneumophila has been shown to cause infections in dental practices. The most common transmission route is aerosol generated in dental office water systems, which can negatively affect patients and healthcare professionals. The most common way of becoming infected with L. pneumophila in a dental office is through water from dental instruments, and the dental unit. In addition to these bacteria, patients and the dental team may be exposed to other harmful bacteria and viruses. Therefore, it is vital that the dental team regularly maintains and decontaminates the dental unit, and sterilizes all accessories that come with it. In addition, regular water control in dental offices is necessary.

Keywords: Legionella; aerosol; dental medicine; infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Legionella in water supply systems.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The life cycle of Legionella pneumophila. Legionella reproduces only inside other cells. Bacterial-feeding amoebae also live in the environment where Legionella is found. After the Legionella is eaten by the amoeba, it is encapsulated inside the amoeba, where it continues to grow and multiply. By releasing Legionella bacteria from the amoeba, they can disperse into the environment and form a new biofilm with other bacteria, or humans can inhale them. In humans, this cycle is repeated, but in this case, the human lung cells are infected.
Figure 3
Figure 3
An example of a dental unit with a choice of water supply: Panel (a) the buttons that allow the selection of water supply either from the public network (1) or a bottle of distilled water (2); Panel (b) water tank for distilled water.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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