Legionnaires' Disease or Legionellosis

Legionella pneumonphila

-GNR
-obligate areobe (need that O2)
-facultative intracellular parasite
-grows fast
-single flagella or pili mediated twitch motility
-exists in biofilms

water, soil

respiratory tract

inhalation of contaminated water aerosols
aspiration of contaminated water

-4hrs-10 dys

-bacteria multiply in alveolar macrophages
-leads to cell death and spread of infection
-tissue necoris and inflamation leads to abscesses, pneumonia, and pleurisy

-pontiac fever (4-60 hr incubation)
-pneumonia (2-10 dy incubation)

-chronic fatigue
-pulmonary fibrosis
-coinfectoins or superinfections
-respiratory failure

-Macrolides (erythromycin and azithromycin)
-Tetracycline
-Quinolones (levofloxacin)

-envionrmental design and maintenance
-avoid smoking + alcohol abuse