Microbioogy

                                           Legionella Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. Legionnaires' disease is caused by Gram-negative aerobic bacteria known as legionella.

You can't catch Legionnaires' disease from person-to-person contact. Instead, most people get Legionnaires' disease from inhaling the bacteria. Older adults, smokers and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to Legionnaires' disease.

These species cause a less severe infection known as Pontiac fever, which resembles acute influenza. These bacterial species can be water-borne or present in soil. Patients with Legionnaires' disease usually have fever, chills, and a cough, which may be dry or may produce sputum. Some patients also have muscle aches, headache, and tiredness, loss of appetite, loss of coordination (ataxia), and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting.