Legionellosis

Abstract

Legionnaires' disease was first recognized during an outbreak of pneumonia involving delegates to the 1976 American Legion convention at a Philadelphia hotel. Full appreciation of its role other than as an exotic pathogen has only come in the past several years. As diagnostic methods have improved and epidemiologic understanding of its reservoir has been exploited, legionella has been found to be a common cause of community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. Many excellent reviews have been published,¹⁴ so this review will focus on newer findings.EpidemiologyCommunity-Acquired PneumoniaOutbreaks of legionnaires' disease in hotels, cruise ships, and office buildings continue to . . .