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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 spp. enter the lungs either by aspiration of contaminated water or inhalation of aerosolized contaminated water or soil. In the lung, the bacteria are consumed by macrophages , a type of white blood cell , inside of which the Legionella bacteria multiply, causing the death of the macrophage.
The best practice for preventing foodborne illnesses for all foods, including meat, is the CDC's four steps to food safety: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Wash hands, surfaces, utensils, and ...
Legionella is often present in small quantities in the water cruise lines pick up in port for drinking, use in showers and amenities like whirlpool spas, but not high enough to make people sick ...
Temperature affects the survival of Legionella as follows: [93] 70 to 80 °C (158 to 176 °F): Disinfection range; At 66 °C (151 °F): Legionellae die within 2 minutes; At 60 °C (140 °F): They die within 32 minutes; At 55 °C (131 °F): They die within 5 to 6 hours; Above 50 °C (122 °F): They can survive but do not multiply
According to the CDC, Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia, known as Legionnaires disease or Pontiac fever. Legionella bacteria is spread through the air when an individual ...
Legionella has been shown to survive inside of an encysted amoeba host in chlorine treated water, and can release from the host in respirable vesicles when treated with biocides, with each vesicle possibly containing hundreds of legionella bacteria spread by aerosolized water. [9]