Pathogens
Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila

Precautions

Routine Practices

Susceptibilities

General Information

Aerobic small Gram negative bacillus

Reservoir is water. Aerosolization by cooling towers, spas, shower heads, etc.

Occurs in outbreaks.

Person-to-person transmission not documented.

  • Pneumonia (Legionnaires disease)
  • Pontiac fever (Self-limited febrile illness)
  • Extrapulmonary infections rare, but include endocarditis

Risk factors include:

  • Outbreak setting
  • Older male
  • Smoker
  • Cardiopulmonary disease
  • Renal disease
  • Immunosuppression

Diagnosed using urine antigen. PCR available by MOC approval.