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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
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    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.
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    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.

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