Pathogens
Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila

Precautions

Standard Precautions

Susceptibilities

General Information

  • Levofloxacin
  • Azithromycin +/- Rifampin
  • Clarithromycin
  • Doxycycline
  • TMP/SMX any of these three +/- Rifampin

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 is a self-limited febrile illness

Extrapulmonary infections rare, but include endocarditis

Reportable disease - notify Public Health

Risk factors include outbreak setting, older male, smoker, with cardiopulmonary disease, renal disease, or immunosuppression