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Seroprevalence of legionella in Shanxi Province, China

Seroprävalenz von Legionella in der Provinz Shanxi, China

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Summary

Using an ELISA with bacterial sonicate antigens, the prevalence of antibodies to the antigens of 15 legionellae was determined in 319 healthy individuals residing in Taiyuan, China (Shanxi Province). Significant antibody levels were detected to 11 antigens. Confirming earlier studies, an association was noted between cigarette smoking and seroreactivity, however, none was observed between occupation, or sex and seroreactivity. When the response to specific antigens or antigenic “groups” was studied, an association with work site was apparent. These data suggested a higher rate of exposure to Philadelphia 1 type antigens at the Bureau of Mining dormitory and a nearby electric power plant, and to E-327F/NY-23 type antigens at the Shanxi Mining College and Shanxi Daily newspaper. Further studies will define the reservoirs and mechanisms of exposure.

Zusammenfassung

Die Prävalenz von Antikörpern gegen Antigene von 15 Legionellen wurde mit ELISA unter Verwendung von ultraschall-behandelten Bakterienantigenen bei 319 gesunden Personen bestimmt, die in Taiyuan, China (Provinz Shanxi) wohnen. Gegen 11 Antigene wurden signifikante Antikörperspiegel gefunden. Wie in früheren Studien fand sich eine Assoziation zwischen Zigarettenrauchen und Seroreaktivität; zwischen Berufstätigkeit oder Geschlecht und Seroreaktivität war hingegen keine Beziehung festzustellen. Bei der Analyse der Antikörperantwort auf spezifische Antigene oder Antigen-“Gruppen” war eine eindeutige Beziehung zum Arbeitsplatz erkennbar. Aus diesen Daten ließ sich eine höhere Expositionsrate gegen Philadelphia-Typ-1-Antigene in der Unterkunft des Bergwerkbüros und einem benachbarten Elektrizitätswerk ableiten; im Shanxi Bergwerk-College und bei Mitarbeitern der Zeitung Shanxi Daily erschien die Exposition gegen Antigene vom Typ E-327F/NY23 erhöht. Die Auffindung der Erregerreservoirs und Bestimmung der Expositionsmechanismen ist weiteren Untersuchungen vorbehalten.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical College, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China

    J. Wang (Chairman)

  2. Research Service, Dorn Veterans Hospital, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 29201, Columbia, S.C., USA

    Marguerite S. Brown-Schlumpf

  3. Research Service, Dorn Veterans Hospital and Departments of Medicine and Microbiology/Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 29201, Columbia, S.C., USA

    A. Brown M.D.

  4. Department of Microbiology, Shanxi Medical College, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China

    X. -Z. Xie

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  1. J. Wang
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  2. Marguerite S. Brown-Schlumpf
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  3. A. Brown M.D.
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  4. X. -Z. Xie
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Wang, J., Brown-Schlumpf, M.S., Brown, A. et al. Seroprevalence of legionella in Shanxi Province, China. Infection 16, 179–182 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01644097

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01644097

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