Legionellosis (Legionnaires' Disease): Causes, Symptoms and Therapy

The respiratory system is the site mainly affected by the infection which, in most cases, determines a form of pneumonia. The extent of legionellosis and the symptomatological picture with which it manifests itself strongly depend on the individual susceptibility and on the characteristics of exposure to the causative agent (modalities, times, virulence and infectious charge of the bacterium in question).

There Legionella it reproduces quickly in hot-humid environments and spreads through water pipes and air conditioners. Infection is usually acquired by inhaling the droplets of water heavily contaminated by the bacterium (aerosol), generated, for example, by showers, sprayers for irrigating gardens or air conditioning systems in large buildings, such as hotels or hospitals.

Legionellosis mainly affects the elderly, smokers and immunocompromised patients or patients with previous or chronic diseases. Onset symptoms of infection are often nonspecific and include: fever, fatigue, myalgia, headache, and general malaise.

The diagnosis of legionellosis is based on specific laboratory investigations, aimed at identifying the presence of the infectious agent or an antibody response to it. Being a disease of bacterial origin, the treatment involves the use of antibiotics and respiratory support measures and / or systemic.