Legionella: What is it? Characteristics, Contagion and Associated Diseases

responsible for an "infection that mainly affects the respiratory system".

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The resulting infectious disease can manifest itself as pneumonia (legionellosis), with a mortality rate ranging between 10-15%, or in a flu-like form (Pontiac fever), with a benign course.

The source of infection is environmental: the Legionella it is a ubiquitous bacterium and spreads through city pipes and building water systems. The microorganism is carried by small particles of nebulized water (aerosol) and can be easily inhaled through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

aerobes. These infectious agents are known to be responsible for variants of pneumonia which can be very serious.

There Legionella pneumophila it is the species most frequently implicated in legionellosis (also known as legionnaires' disease) and in Pontiac fever (mild or subclinical variant of the infection).