IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v16y2019i15p2648-d251364.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Evaluation of Microbiological and Free-Living Protozoa Contamination in Dental Unit Waterlines

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Maria Spagnolo

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genova, Italy)

  • Marina Sartini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genova, Italy)

  • David Di Cave

    (Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy)

  • Beatrice Casini

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Benedetta Tuvo

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Maria Luisa Cristina

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genova, Italy)

Abstract

Studies conducted over the last 40 years have demonstrated that the water output from dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is often contaminated with high densities of microorganisms. It has been monitored the microbiological quality of the water in 30 public dental facilities in northern Italy in order to assess the health risk for patients and dental staff. In each facility, samples of water both from taps and from DUWLs were analyzed in order to evaluate heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) at 22 °C and 36 °C, and to detect coliform bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Legionella pneumophila and amoebae. In 100% of the samples taken from the DUWLs, the concentration of HPCs was above the threshold as determined by the Ministère de la Santé et des Solidarités (2007). The concentration of P. aeruginosa was greater than the indicated threshold in 16.67% of the hand-pieces analyzed. A total of 78.33% of samples were contaminated by L. pneumophila , while in the samples taken from the DUWLs alone, this percentage rose to 86.67%. Amoebae were detected in 60% of the samples taken from hand-pieces; all belonging to the species V. vermiformis . This study documented the presence of various microorganisms, including Legionella spp., at considerably higher concentrations in water samples from DUWLs than in samples of tap water in the same facilities, confirming the role of the internal DUWLs in increasing microbial contamination, especially in the absence of proper management of waterborne health risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Maria Spagnolo & Marina Sartini & David Di Cave & Beatrice Casini & Benedetta Tuvo & Maria Luisa Cristina, 2019. "Evaluation of Microbiological and Free-Living Protozoa Contamination in Dental Unit Waterlines," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-11, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2648-:d:251364
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/15/2648/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/15/2648/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jessica Lizzadro & Marta Mazzotta & Luna Girolamini & Ada Dormi & Tiziana Pellati & Sandra Cristino, 2019. "Comparison between Two Types of Dental Unit Waterlines: How Evaluation of Microbiological Contamination Can Support Risk Containment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Maria Teresa Montagna & Osvalda De Giglio & Maria Luisa Cristina & Christian Napoli & Claudia Pacifico & Antonella Agodi & Tatjana Baldovin & Beatrice Casini & Maria Anna Coniglio & Marcello Mario D’E, 2017. "Evaluation of Legionella Air Contamination in Healthcare Facilities by Different Sampling Methods: An Italian Multicenter Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Erica Leoni & Laura Dallolio & Francesca Stagni & Tiziana Sanna & Giovanni D'Alessandro & Gabriela Piana, 2015. "Impact of a Risk Management Plan on Legionella Contamination of Dental Unit Water," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Margherita Montalbano Di Filippo & Maristella Santoro & Piero Lovreglio & Rosa Monno & Carmen Capolongo & Carla Calia & Luciana Fumarola & Rossella D'Alfonso & Federica Berrilli & David Di Cave, 2015. "Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Free-Living Amoebae from Different Water Sources in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-11, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Orlando J. Castellano Realpe & Johanna C. Gutiérrez & Deisy A. Sierra & Lourdes A. Pazmiño Martínez & Yrneh Y. Prado Palacios & Gustavo Echeverría & Jacobus H. de Waard, 2020. "Dental Unit Waterlines in Quito and Caracas Contaminated with Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: A Potential Health Risk in Dental Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-11, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Orlando J. Castellano Realpe & Johanna C. Gutiérrez & Deisy A. Sierra & Lourdes A. Pazmiño Martínez & Yrneh Y. Prado Palacios & Gustavo Echeverría & Jacobus H. de Waard, 2020. "Dental Unit Waterlines in Quito and Caracas Contaminated with Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: A Potential Health Risk in Dental Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Stefania Marcheggiani & Roberto Spurio & Lucia Cimarelli & Duarte Tito & Laura Mancini, 2015. "Scientific Symposium “Small Solution for Big Water-Related Problems: Innovative Microarrays and Small Sensors to Cope with Water Quality and Food Security”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Savina Ditommaso & Monica Giacomuzzi & Elisa Ricciardi & Carla M. Zotti, 2016. "Efficacy of a Low Dose of Hydrogen Peroxide (Peroxy Ag + ) for Continuous Treatment of Dental Unit Water Lines: Challenge Test with Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1 in a Simulated Dental Unit Waterl," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-10, July.
    4. Samuel Dorevitch, 2015. "Health Effects of Waterborne Contaminants: A Focus on Emerging Concerns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-3, October.
    5. Alexandre Baudet & Julie Lizon & Jean-Marc Martrette & Frédéric Camelot & Arnaud Florentin & Céline Clément, 2020. "Efficacy of BRS ® and Alpron ® /Bilpron ® Disinfectants for Dental Unit Waterlines: A Six-Year Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-9, April.
    6. Osvalda De Giglio & Giusy Diella & Paolo Trerotoli & Michela Consonni & Roberta Palermo & Marina Tesauro & Pasqualina Laganà & Gabriella Serio & Maria Teresa Montagna, 2020. "Legionella Detection in Water Networks as per ISO 11731:2017: Can Different Filter Pore Sizes and Direct Placement on Culture Media Influence Laboratory Results?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-8, March.
    7. Francesco Triggiano & Giuseppina Caggiano & Marco Lopuzzo & Giusy Diella & Francesca Apollonio & Fabrizio Fasano & Maria Teresa Montagna, 2022. "No-Touch Automated Disinfection System Based on Hydrogen Peroxide and Ethyl Alcohol Aerosols for Use in Healthcare Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-6, April.
    8. Annalisa Lombardi & Tonia Borriello & Elvira De Rosa & Fabiana Di Duca & Michele Sorrentino & Ida Torre & Paolo Montuori & Ugo Trama & Francesca Pennino, 2023. "Environmental Monitoring of Legionella in Hospitals in the Campania Region: A 5-Year Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-17, April.
    9. Pasqualina Laganà & Alessio Facciolà & Roberta Palermo & Santi Delia, 2019. "Environmental Surveillance of Legionellosis within an Italian University Hospital—Results of 15 Years of Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-10, March.
    10. Prospero Albertini & Pierangela Mainardi & Maria Bagattini & Annalisa Lombardi & Patrizia Riccio & Maria Ragosta & Francesca Pennino & Dario Bruzzese & Maria Triassi, 2023. "Risk Influence of Some Environmental and Behavioral Factors on Air Contamination in the Operating Room: An Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-12, August.
    11. Erica Leoni & Federica Catalani & Sofia Marini & Laura Dallolio, 2018. "Legionellosis Associated with Recreational Waters: A Systematic Review of Cases and Outbreaks in Swimming Pools, Spa Pools, and Similar Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-19, July.
    12. Alexandre Baudet & Julie Lizon & Jean-Marc Martrette & Frédéric Camelot & Arnaud Florentin & Céline Clément, 2019. "Dental Unit Waterlines: A Survey of Practices in Eastern France," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-8, November.
    13. Maria Teresa Montagna & Osvalda De Giglio & Antonella Agodi & Cesira Pasquarella, 2017. "Response to Comments on Montagna et al. “Evaluation of Legionella Air Contamination in Healthcare Facilities by Different Sampling Methods: An Italian Multicenter Study” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public H," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-2, August.
    14. Maria Antoniadou & Anestis Intzes & Christos Kladouchas & Iliana Christou & Stavroula Chatzigeorgiou & Martha Plexida & Valantis Stefanidakis & Ioannis Tzoutzas, 2023. "Factors Affecting Water Quality and Sustainability in Dental Practices in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, June.
    15. Samuel Collins & Jimmy Walker, 2017. "Comment on Montagna, et al. Evaluation of Legionella air contamination in healthcare facilities by different sampling methods: An Italian multicenter study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 1," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-2, August.
    16. Marco Gola & Gaetano Settimo & Stefano Capolongo, 2019. "Chemical Pollution in Healing Spaces: The Decalogue of the Best Practices for Adequate Indoor Air Quality in Inpatient Rooms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-15, November.
    17. Savina Ditommaso & Monica Giacomuzzi & Elisa Ricciardi & Carla M. Zotti, 2016. "Cultural and Molecular Evidence of Legionella spp. Colonization in Dental Unit Waterlines: Which Is the Best Method for Risk Assessment?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-10, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2648-:d:251364. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.