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Diagnosis and Epidemiology of Infections Caused by Legionella spp

N K Fry1, T G Harrison

  • 1Respiratory and Systemic Infection Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, UK.

Methods in Molecular Medicine
|March 11, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Legionnaires' Disease (LD) is caused by Legionella bacteria, identified in 1976. These bacteria are widespread in natural and man-made water systems, often forming biofilms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Health
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Legionnaires' Disease (LD) was first identified following a 1976 pneumonia outbreak.
  • Over 40 species of Legionella have been discovered since then.
  • Legionella bacteria are ubiquitous in natural and man-made aquatic environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of Legionella bacteria and the epidemiology of Legionnaires' Disease.
  • To highlight the distribution and habitat of Legionella species.
  • To describe the role of biofilms in Legionella ecology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Legionella research.
  • Epidemiological analysis of Legionnaires' Disease outbreaks.
  • Microbiological characterization of Legionella species.

Main Results:

  • Legionella bacteria are widely distributed in freshwater and man-made water systems.
  • Legionella species form complex communities known as biofilms.
  • Biofilms provide a habitat for Legionella, often in association with protozoa, bacteria, and algae.

Conclusions:

  • Legionella bacteria are common environmental contaminants.
  • Biofilm formation is a key ecological factor for Legionella.
  • Understanding Legionella biofilms is crucial for controlling Legionnaires' Disease.

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