Legionnaire Disease

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GARD: ¹⁹ Legionnaires' disease is a severe type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella. The species Legionella pneumophila causes most cases, but other species of Legionella can also cause the disease. It is named Legionnaires' disease because it was first discovered after a pneumonia outbreak among people who attended an American Legion Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1976. Most people exposed to Legionella do not become sick with Legionnaires' disease. People who do become sick usually develop symptoms within 2 to 10 days after exposure, but it may take longer. The first symptoms may include headache, chills, muscle pains, and a fever that can be 104°F (40°C) or higher. Additional symptoms usually develop 1 to 2 days after the first symptoms and may include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and confusion. While Legionnaires' disease mainly affects the lungs, it sometimes causes infections in other parts of the body, such as the heart or within body wounds. A person can become infected from Legionella when they inhale mist or water droplets that contain the bacteria. Sources of exposure may include showers, faucets, whirlpools, grocery store misters, and water droplets passing through ventilation systems in large buildings (such as hotels, office buildings, and hospitals). People who are more susceptible to developing Legionnaires' disease after an exposure include adults over age 50, current or former smokers, and people who have a weakened immune system or a chronic disease. Generally, neither the bacteria nor Legionnaires' disease is spread directly from person to person. While large exposures can result in outbreaks, the disease usually occurs in single, isolated cases. Legionnaires' disease may be suspected by symptoms. Pneumonia can be confirmed by a chest X-ray. Legionnaires' disease is diagnosed when one of the species of Legionella is found to be the cause of the pneumonia by testing a urine sample (urine culture) or a sample of saliva and mucus that is coughed up (sputum culture).

MalaCards based summary: Legionnaire Disease, also known as legionnaires' disease, is related to pontiac fever and ornithosis, and has symptoms including fever, pruritus and snoring. An important gene associated with Legionnaire Disease is TLR5 (Toll Like Receptor 5), and among its related pathways/superpathways are Metabolism of proteins and Vesicle-mediated transport. The drugs Azithromycin and Anti-Bacterial Agents have been mentioned in the context of this disorder. Affiliated tissues include lung, bone marrow and heart, and related phenotypes are fatigue and fever

MedlinePlus: ⁴¹ Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria. You usually get it by breathing in mist from water that contains the bacteria. The mist may come from hot tubs, showers, or air-conditioning units for large buildings. The bacteria don't spread from person to person. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include high fever, chills, a cough, and sometimes muscle aches and headaches. Other types of pneumonia have similar symptoms. You will probably need a chest x-ray to diagnose the pneumonia. Lab tests can detect the specific bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease. Most people exposed to the bacteria do not become sick. You are more likely to get sick if you: Are older than 50 Smoke Have a chronic lung disease Have a weak immune system Legionnaires' disease is serious and can be life-threatening. However, most people recover with antibiotic treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

OMIM®: ⁵⁷ Legionnaire disease (LD) is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila, a flagellated gram-negative bacterium found primarily in warm water environments. The disease and the bacterium were discovered following an outbreak traced to a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia. A number of risk factors for acquiring LD have been identified, including age, smoking, chronic lung disease, cancer, and immunosuppression (summary by Hawn et al., 2003). (608556) (Updated 08-Dec-2022)

CDC: ² Legionnaires' (LEE-juh-nares) disease is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella (LEE-juh-nell-a) bacteria. People can get sick when they breathe in mist or accidently swallow water into the lungs containing Legionella.

Disease Ontology: ¹¹ A legionellosis that is characterized by severe form of infection producing pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, chills, and cough.

Orphanet: ⁵⁸ Legionellosis or Legionnaires' disease (LD) is a bacterial lung infection characterized by a potentially fatal pneumonia.

Wikipedia: ⁷⁵ Legionnaires' disease is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by any species of Legionella bacteria,... more...

Clinical features from OMIM®:

Search NIH Clinical Center for Legionnaire Disease