Pathogens
Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila

Precautions

Standard Precautions

Susceptibilities

General Information

  • Fluoroquinolones (Levofloxacin or Moxifloxacin in pneumonia)
  • Azithromycin
  • Clarithromycin
  • Eravacycline
  • Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole

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