Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria
13:54

Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria

Published on: April 2, 2013

[Diseases of the lungs caused by legionella species (author's transl)]

J Fleurette, N Bornstein

    Infection
    |January 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Legionella bacteria cause severe pneumonia, particularly in older adults and immunocompromised individuals. Diagnosis involves culture, animal inoculation, and immunofluorescence tests, with erythromycin and rifampicin as effective treatments.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Public Health

    Context:

    • The emergence of Legionella as a significant cause of pneumonia following the 1976 Philadelphia epidemic.
    • The Legionellaceae family encompasses five species, with Legionella pneumophila being the most prevalent.

    Purpose:

    • To review the clinical, epidemiological, and bacteriological aspects of Legionelloses.
    • To highlight the significance of Legionella bacteria in causing severe pneumonia.

    Summary:

    • Legionelloses manifest as acute pneumonia, often severe and with increased lethality in elderly and immunocompromised patients.
    • Effective antibiotics include erythromycin, rifampicin, and cefoxitin.
    • Bacteriological diagnosis relies on culture, guinea pig inoculation, and direct immunofluorescence, while serological diagnosis uses indirect immunofluorescence.

    Impact:

    • Provides a comprehensive overview of Legionella infections for healthcare professionals and researchers.
    • Emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and timely treatment for Legionelloses.
    • Contributes to understanding the epidemiology and clinical presentation of Legionella pneumonia.

    More Related Videos

    Use of Galleria mellonella as a Model Organism to Study Legionella pneumophila Infection12:30

    Use of Galleria mellonella as a Model Organism to Study Legionella pneumophila Infection

    Published on: November 22, 2013

    Legionella pneumophila Outer Membrane Vesicles: Isolation and Analysis of Their Pro-inflammatory Potential on Macrophages08:34

    Legionella pneumophila Outer Membrane Vesicles: Isolation and Analysis of Their Pro-inflammatory Potential on Macrophages

    Published on: February 22, 2017

    Related Concept Videos

    Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

    Other Pulmonary Disorders

    Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
    Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

    Pneumonia I: Introduction

    Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
    Risk Factors
    Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
    Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

    Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

    Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
    Causative Organism
    The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
    Mode of...
    Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

    Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

    Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
    Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
    Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
    Atypical Pneumonia01:14

    Atypical Pneumonia

    Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
    Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

    Pneumonia I: Introduction

    Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...