[Legionellosis--a new infection in Poland]

Legionellosis became a notifiable disease in Poland in January 1st 2002; however, research on Legionella infection started earlier. Our study of laboratory methods for investigation Legionella infecting humans and waters brought some knowledge on Legionella infections in Poland. The aim of the publication is to present up-to-date findings concerning epidemiology and laboratory methods for surveillance of Legionella infections in European countries and of our own laboratory experience on surveillance of Legionella infections in Poland as well as some retrospective data on the research on Legionella. For the first time Legionella was described in Poland as amoebic pathogen in 1954. In the present investigation the level of water contamination by Legionella in buildings of different institutions was examined. The strains of Legionella pneumophila sg 2-14 were found in 30-100% of water samples collected from hotels, banks, factories and inhabited houses. The level of antibodies to antigens of L. pneumophila sg 1 measured in over 500 serum samples of healthy persons by microagglutination test indicated that titre 256 found in the serum of patient confirm legionellosis. The serological tests were also used for epidemiological studies in an outbreak of legionellosis in Poland. Altogether 403 specimens from hospitalised patients send by hospitals all over the country were diagnosed and 19 were found positive for Legionella infection. The further research on legionellosis is needed.