Mode of Transmission of Legionella pneumophila

Muder, Robert R.

doi:10.1001/archinte.1986.00360200183030

Cited by 142 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Characteristics of neither the organisms nor the mode of transmission have been identified that account for the difference between Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever. Legionellae have never been recovered directly from Pontiac fever patients although diagnosis has been established through seroconversion following characteristic clinical symptoms [110]. Several hypotheses to explain Pontiac fever include a change in virulence factors [29], toxic or hypersensitivity reaction [89], or hypersensitivity of amoebae containing Legionella [126,128].…”

Section: Symptomologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology of Legionella: From data to knowledge with a little wisdom

Fliermans

1996

Microb Ecol

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The respiratory diseases produced by the Legionella genus of bacteria are collectively called Legionellosis. Presently more than 34 species of Legionella have been identified, 20 of which have been isolated from both environmental and clinical sources. The diseases produced by Legionella include the pneumonic form, Legionnaires' disease, and the flu-like form, Pontiac fever. Because the vast majority of Legionellosis is caused by the L.pneumophila species, this bacterium is the thrust of the discussion.Legionella is a global bacterium. The relationship of the bacterium to its environment has told us many things about infectious diseases. Not until Legionellosis and the discovery of its etiologic agent, Legionella, has such a successful modern-day marriage been consummated between the agent and its environment. Nearly two decades have passed since the term Legionellosis found its way into the vocabulary of the scientific journals, the popular press, and courtroom proceedings. Too often the scientific development, engineering implementation, and societal acceptance are disconnected. The focus of scientific research sometimes does not reflect engineering or societal needs and thus contributes little to the solution of immediate and important problems. At other times, scientific knowledge that could contribute to solutions is overlooked because of poor communication between the problem holders, the scientific community, regulatory agencies, the problem makers, and the public.The scope of this paper provides insights on the ecological niche of Legionella, describes the organism's ecological relationships in the natural world, and provides wisdom for effective control of the bacterium for the industrial and user communities.

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Section: Symptomologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology of Legionella: From data to knowledge with a little wisdom

Fliermans

1996

Microb Ecol

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“…For example, the current AIDS epidemic has been attributed to a microorganism that crossed a species barrier. Legionellosis may have been present for some time, but perhaps was diagnosed as a variety of clinical syndromes until a common-source outbreak occurred and appropriate studies were conducted to determine its etiology (174). Hemorrhagic colitis, caused by Escherichia coli 0157:H7, appeared to be a new clinical entity; actually, the condition was accurately described in 1963 but was not linked to the causative serotype of E. coli until 1982 (97,198).…”

Section: Microbial Ecology Of the Human Gastrointestinal Tractmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contemporary issues: diseases with a food vector

1988

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Foodborne disease has become a contemporary issue. Several large, well-publicized outbreaks of foodborne disease have heightened public awareness that harmful microorganisms may be present in food and that chronic as well as acute disease may be caused by foodborne microbes. The field of food microbiology has likewise experienced a resurgence of interest. New tools, such as recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid technology and monoclonal antibody production, used to elucidate microbial virulence factors have facilitated identification of disease-causing microbes once thought to be harmless and demonstrated the complexity of individual virulence mechanisms previously considered to be well understood. Foodborne pathogens are also causing disease via some surprising food vectors, such as chopped, bottled garlic and sauteed onions. In addition to acute gastrointestinal disturbances, certain microorganisms may, through complex interactions with the human immune response, cause chronic diseases that affect several major organ systems. These microbes are serving as models in studies of molecular mimicry and genetic interrelatedness of procaryotes and eucaryotes. Other recently recognized attributes of foodborne microorganisms, such as the heat shock phenomenon and the possible nonculturability of some bacteria, may affect their ability to cause disease in humans. Because foodborne disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, the study of these diseases and their causative microorganisms presents a unique challenge to many professionals in the subdisciplines of microbiology, epidemiology, and clinical medicine.

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“…Annual and seasonal variations of incidence and apparent spontaneous decreases have been observed (Muder, Yu & Woo, 1986). Further nosocomial cases are clearly not entirely prevented using heating and/or chlorination (Bartlett, Macrae & Macfarlane, 1986b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nosocomial legionella pneumonia: demonstration of potable water as the source of infection

et al. 1988

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, 35 cases of sporadic nosocomial legionella pneumonia, all caused by Legionella pneumophila, were diagnosed in a university hospital. L. pneumophila serogroup (SG) 1 was cultured from 12 of the 35 cases and compared to corresponding L. pneumophila SG 1 isolates from water outlets in the patients' immediate environment by subtyping with monoclonal antibodies. The corresponding environmental isolates were identical to 9 out of 12 (75 %) of those from the cases. However, even in the remaining three cases identical subtypes were found distributed throughout the hospital water supply. From the hospital water supply four different subtypes of L. pneumophila SG 1 were isolated, three of which were implicated in legionella pneumonia. Of 453 water samples taken during the study 298 (65 8 %) were positive for legionellae. Species of Legionella other than L. pneumophila have not been isolated. This may explain the exclusiveness of L. pneumophila as the legionella pneumonia-causing agent. Our results suggest that the water supply system was the source of infection.

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Mode of Transmission of Legionella pneumophila

Cited by 142 publications

References 49 publications

Ecology of Legionella: From data to knowledge with a little wisdom

Ecology of Legionella: From data to knowledge with a little wisdom

Contemporary issues: diseases with a food vector

Nosocomial legionella pneumonia: demonstration of potable water as the source of infection

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