About Legionella pneumophila

the pathogen

L. pneumophila is a Gram-negative bacterium of the genus Legionella, normally infecting freshwater and soil amoebae of the genera Acanthamoeba and Naegleria, but in humans causing a relatively rare, but serious atypical pneumonia called the Legionnaires' disease. Recent (2023) outbreaks in Europe highlight the importance of this pathogen, especially in light of the climate changes (high temperatures and increasing used of AC, the common mechanism of L. pneumophila spread.

the disease

Legionnaires' disease is a form of atypical pneumonia causing cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pains, and headaches 2–10 days after exposure. It is usually acquired by breathing in mist that contains the bacteria, especially from hot water tanks, hot tubs, and AC cooling towers. An estimated 8,000 to 18,000 cases a year in the United States require hospitalization. The fatality rate is around 10% for healthy persons and 25% for those with underlying conditions.

learn more about Legionella pneumophila effectors

List of L. pneumophila effectors

a searchable list of the L. pneumophila effectors with links to dedicated pages for individual effectors

heatmap of the distribution of the L. pneumophila effectors

in progress

host functional networks affected by L. pneumophila effectors

in progress

(figure from Mondino, Sonia, et al. "Legionnaires’ disease: state of the art knowledge of pathogenesis mechanisms of Legionella." Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease 15 (2020): 439-466. used as a placeholder

About Legionella pneumophila

the pathogen

the disease

learn more about Legionella pneumophila effectors

List of L. pneumophila effectors

heatmap of the distribution of the L. pneumophila effectors

host functional networks affected by L. pneumophila effectors

host functional networks affected by L. pneumophila effectors

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