ARE LEGIONELLAE AN ISSUE IN GROWING MEDIA AND SOIL IMPROVERS AND IS LABELLING REQUIRED?

摘要

This paper is based on information collected during investigations into gardening-related legionellosis following notification of four cases of Legionella longbeachae (LLB) infection in Scotland between 2008 and 2010 in patients who had used growing media (GM) prior to becoming ill. It describes, for the non-microbiologist and non-clinician, some basic facts about Legionella and about Legionnaires Disease (LD). It comprehensively reviews the key published information from studies into the association between Legionellae and growing media and compost etc. from around the world. Epidemiology data is included too and possible modes of transmission are discussed together with calls for voluntary labelling in the UK and the response of the Growing Media Association (GMA).