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Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria
Published on: April 2, 2013
Pathogenicity and Virulence of Legionella: Intracellular replication and host response
Deepika Chauhan1, Stephanie R Shames1
1Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA.
Abstract:
Bacteria of the genus Legionella are natural pathogens of amoebae that can cause a severe pneumonia in humans called Legionnaires' Disease. Human disease results from inhalation of Legionella-contaminated aerosols and subsequent bacterial replication within alveolar macrophages. Legionella pathogenicity in humans has resulted from extensive co-evolution with diverse genera of amoebae. To replicate intracellularly, Legionella generates a replication-permissive compartment called the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) through the concerted action of hundreds of Dot/Icm-translocated effector proteins. In this review, we present a collective overview of Legionella pathogenicity including infection mechanisms, secretion systems, and translocated effector function. We also discuss innate and adaptive immune responses to L. pneumophila, the implications of Legionella genome diversity and future avenues for the field.
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