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Legionella is a genus of gram-negative bacteria that can be seen using a silver stain or grown in a special media that contains cysteine, an amino acid.It is known to cause legionellosis [3] (all illnesses caused by Legionella) including a pneumonia-type illness called Legionnaires' disease and a mild flu-like illness called Pontiac fever. [3]
Legionella pneumophila, the primary causative agent for Legionnaire's disease, is an aerobic, pleomorphic, flagellated, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative bacterium. [1] [2] L. pneumophila is a intracellular parasite that preferentially infects soil amoebae and freshwater protozoa for replication.
Legionella isolation can be conducted using the method developed by the US Center for Disease Control using buffered charcoal yeast extract agar with antibiotics. [ citation needed ] Copper-Silver ionization is an effective industrial control and prevention process to eradicate Legionella in potable water distribution systems and cooling towers ...
Legionella is found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams, but can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in constructed water systems.
The Legionella bacteria can be cultured from sputum or other respiratory samples. Legionella spp. stain poorly with Gram stain, stain positive with silver, and are cultured on charcoal yeast extract with iron and cysteine . [citation needed] A significant under-reporting problem occurs with legionellosis.
The agency found evidence of Legionella in the potable water systems of its American Star and American Heritage vessels following periodic inspections between December 2021 and and August 2022.
The Legionella strains studied produced carbon dioxide up to 51.6 ºC, suggesting that some respiratory enzymes survive at this temperature. Complex water systems, such as warm-water plumbing systems, air‑conditioners and hot tubs (also known as spa pools), are increasingly using water in the temperature range that encourages Legionella growth.
Legionella is considered to be pathogenic in humans and is one of the leading outbreaks found in constructed water systems. Because the biofilms are the source, countless outbreaks that originated from water systems and the ability of a species to form biofilms both can contribute to L. clemonensis’s pathogenicity. [7]