Legionella pneumophila

Precautions

Routine Practices
Routine Practices

General Information

First Line Treatment

Levofloxacin for serious infections

Pathogen information

Aerobic small gram negative bacillus

Epidemiology

Reservoir is water. Aerosolization by cooling towers, spas, shower heads, etc.

Occurs in outbreaks.

Person-to-person transmission not documented.

Associated syndromes

  •  Pneumonia (Legionnaires disease)

  •  Pontiac fever (Self-limited febrile illness)

  •  Extrapulmonary infections rare, but include endocarditis

Additional Information

Risk factors include:

  • Outbreak setting

  • Older male

  • Smoker

  • Cardiopulmonary disease

  • Renal disease

  • Immunosuppression