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.
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.
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(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
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