Pathogens
Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila

Susceptibilities

General Information

  • Levofloxacin
  • Tetracyclines

Aerobic, gram-negative bacillus

  • Reservoir in warm water sources (ponds, lakes, hot tubs, etc.)
  • Occurs in outbreaks
  • Person-to-person transmission not documented.
  • Pneumonia (Legionnaires disease)
  • Pontiac fever (self-limited febrile illness, no antibiotic treatment necessary)
  • Extrapulmonary infections rare, but include endocarditis
  • All cases should be reported to the health department
  • Urinary antigen detects serogroup 1 only (70% sensitivity, 95-100% specificity)