Demonstration of the Agent of Legionnaires’ Disease in Tissue

Abstract

AN epidemic of acute febrile respiratory disease occurred among persons who had been in Philadelphia during July and August, 1976. Patients were divided into two groups: those who attended the Pennsylvania State American Legion convention or were present in the headquarters hotel of the convention (classified as having Legionnaires' disease); and those who were present in the vicinity of the hotel (classified as having Broad Street pneumonia). The epidemiologic features have been described in detail.¹ The putative etiologic agent was found to be a novel bacterium, not previously recognized as an agent of human disease, as yet unclassified and of . . .