RT Book, Section
A1 Pergam, Steven A.
A1 Hawn, Thomas R.
A2 Loscalzo, Joseph
A2 Fauci, Anthony
A2 Kasper, Dennis
A2 Hauser, Stephen
A2 Longo, Dan
A2 Jameson, J. Larry
SR Print(0)
ID 1198221229
T1 Legionella Infections
T2 Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21e
YR 2022
FD 2022
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781264268504
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1198221229
RD 2024/04/23
AB Bacteria  of  Legionella  species  cause  two  primary  human  diseases:  Legionella  pneumonia  (often  referred  to  as  Legionnaires’  disease)  and  Pontiac  fever;  collectively,  these  diseases  are  referred  to  as  legionellosis.  Legionnaires’  disease  was  first  described  in  1976  in  an  outbreak  among  members  of  the  American  Legion  participating  in  a  conference  at  a  hotel  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  Since  their  original  description,  Legionella-related  infections  have  increased  in  frequency  throughout  the  world  as  techniques  to  diagnose  them  have  improved,  clinical  awareness  has  increased,  cities  have  grown,  and  water  systems  have  both  aged  and  become  more  complex.  Most  cases  of  legionellosis  are  linked  to  waterborne  exposures.  These  infections  can  be  either  sporadic  or  due  to  common-source  community  or  nosocomial  exposures.  Outbreaks  of  legionellosis  are  well  described.  After  exposure,  legionellosis  occurs  primarily  among  persons  with  risk  factors  for  disease,  including  older  adults  and  those  with  primary  organ  dysfunction,  immunocompromise,  or  other  chronic  illnesses.  Clinical  awareness  is  important,  as  the  similarity  of  signs  and  symptoms  of  legionellosis  to  those  of  other  respiratory  illnesses  can  lead  to  delayed  treatment.  Despite  appropriate  therapy,  Legionella  pneumonia  is  associated  with  significant  morbidity  and  mortality.