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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.
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
Legionella pneumoniae are found in aquatic conditions, such as artificial water systems, like that of hot tubs and showers. [7] Salmonella typhi and Salmonella enterica are both transmitted orally through feces or through food and/or water that has the bacteria. [8] Chlamydia trachomatis is spread by having unprotected sex. [9]
Legionella organisms’ dependence on L-cysteine and their unique fatty acids and isoprenoid ubiquinone distinguish them from other aerobic bacteria. [6] Like other Legionella species, L. cherrii does not form spores and is an aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium. [1] The genome size was sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2000 and found to be 3.7 Mb. [7]
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 species are aquatic organisms and typically inhabit freshwater environments with humans being accidental hosts. Most isolates of Legionella have been from air-conditioning cooling towers and potable-water distribution systems, but they can also be found in other thermally polluted water sources such as air conditioners, spa equipment ...