Consulting Services

Case Studies

Case Studies on Legionnaires’ Disease

PathCon conducted an investigation of several cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported from people who were previous passengers on a single cruise ship. After a thorough environmental and microbiological investigation, we concluded that the water system on the ship and its whirl pool was the likely source of the outbreak. PathCon worked with the company in follow-up monitoring to insure that the systems were safe and infections did not reoccur.

PathCon was contacted by a hotel who had been informed by the state health department about one reported case of Legionnaires’ disease in a previous guest. Although there was no evidence that the case was associated with the hotel, the management requested that PathCon conduct an investigation for Legionella bacteria. About one week later, the health department contacted the hotel again to inform them that the number of cases had risen to five among previous guests, some of them confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease. They recommended closing the hotel. In response, PathCon presented findings that out of more than 50 samples taken throughout the hotel, only one was positive, the decorative fountain in the hotel lobby. The hotel confirmed that the problem with the fountain had already been corrected. Based on PathCon findings, the health department reported to the news media that the hotel was safe. As a consequence of the prompt and thorough investigation, the hotel was able to avoid being closed by the Health Department.

PathCon assisted in the investigation of a Legionnaire's Disease outbreak with eight suspected cases associated with a county courthouse and a nearby prison housing approximately 800 maximum security prisoners. At the time PathCon was retained, the county had ordered the prison closed and for the prisoners to be relocated because of the Legionnaires’ disease threat. After a review of all the microbiological, epidemiological and clinical findings, PathCon was able to conclude that there were, in fact, no confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ at the facility, and the order to close the facility was based on inadequate information. This finding saved the county many millions of dollars, and avoided a logistical nightmare of transfering over 800 maximum security prisoners.

Back to Top 

Case Studies on Mold Contamination in Buildings

PathCon worked with several other firms to help investigate< mold growth in a new school. PathCon was invited to offer additional support to one of our clients. It was determined that extremely high humidity levels were occurring in the school and the problem was traced to improperly sized A/C units. The high humidity resulted in mold growth on walls and other surfaces throughout the school. PathCon developed a plan of remediation and provided for a successful and cost effective solution.

PathCon worked as a team with several other firms to evaluate mold problems in a number of buildings on a U.S Naval Submarine base. PathCon developed an assessment of mold damage in each building with a plan of approach for correcting the problems.

Back to Top 

Case Studies on Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

PathCon conducted several investigations of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in machine workers exposed to metal removal fluids (MRF). These case studies of HP showed potentially high exposures to a rare and newly discovered species of Mycobacterium. These studies concluded that aerosolized mycobacteria colonizing the MRFs likely caused the disease. PathCon's findings were published in the CDC Journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases in 2001.