Evaluation of standardized scored inspections for Legionnaires' disease prevention, during the Athens 2004 Olympics

The study was designed to determine the contribution of standardized scored inspections implemented during the Athens 2004 Pre-Olympic and Olympic period, in assessing the presence of Legionella spp. in water sites. Inspection grading scores of 477 water supply systems, 127 cooling towers and 134 decorative fountains were associated with the corresponding microbiological test results of 2514 samples for Legionella spp. Nine violations of water supply systems and nine of cooling towers significantly associated with positive microbiological test results, and four violations of water supply systems and one of cooling towers were among those designated as 'critical' water safety hazards in the inspection reports. The study documents a strong correlation [water supply systems (RR 1.92), cooling towers (RR 1.94)] between unsatisfactory inspection scoring results and Legionella-positive microbiological test results (in excess of 10,000 c.f.u./l) and suggests the utility of inspection scoring systems in predicting Legionella proliferation of water systems and in preventing Legionnaires' disease.

Epidemiological study of brucellosis in eight Greek villages using a computerised mapping programme

A Computerised Mapping Programme (CMP) was created step by step to cover all the needs of a cross sectional population survey conducted in eight villages of Fokida, a rural area of central Greece. The maps of Greece (boundary) and the topographical maps of the eight villages were created using the CMP. A volunteer sample of 1121 out of 2607 inhabitants of the study area participated in the population survey. The participants were tested for brucellosis using serological tests (ELISA and Rose Bengal) and the intradermal reaction test. A questionnaire was used to obtain information concerning the risk factors for brucellosis. The risk factors found through statistical analysis were occupation (RR: 5.81, p < 0.00001), consumption of raw milk (RR: 1.98, p < 0.001) and unpasteurised fresh cheese (RR: 2.13, p < 0.01). The same factors were indicated by the CMP. The CMP also indicated manure-contaminated playgrounds in residential yards as a potential risk factor for children. The origin and dissemination were delineated using time space association display. The CMP proved to be a useful tool in this epidemiological study.

Tolerance of the human brucellosis vaccine and the intradermal reaction test for brucellosis

The aim of the present study was to determine the tolerance and efficacy of human brucellosis vaccine as well as the tolerance and sensitivity of the intradermal reaction test for brucellosis. A total of 1,121 subjects initially consented to participate in the study. Following clinical examination, 762 were tested with the intradermal reaction test (IDR Test, Pasteur Merieux, France), of whom 576 with no previous or current brucellosis infection were accepted for vaccination. Two hundred seventy-one were vaccinated with brucellosis vaccine and 305 with tetanus vaccine, the latter group serving as a comparative control group. The vaccinated persons were monitored monthly for at least nine months. Although brucellosis vaccine caused some unpleasant side effects in about one-fourth of the vaccinated persons, it appears safe for large-scale use in prevention programs. In addition, the results indicate that the intradermal reaction test is safe and sensitive for large-scale use in prevention programs. The test was positive in 28 of 30 individuals with previous infection, representing a sensitivity of 93.33%.