Legionellaires Disease

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Legionnaire’s Disease

Case study:
Legionnaire’s Disease and Saunas.

Causative organism:
Legionella pneumophila

Acquired name:
First recognized in 1976 when an outbreak of a respiratory disease occurred among many delegates of the American Legion members attending a convention in Philadelphia.
182 people contracted pulmonary disease and 29 died.

Characteristics:
Small, thin microbe (2-10 micrometers in length).
Cell wall-high lipopolysaccharide content.
Gram negative aerobic rod (bacillus).
Facultative intracellular parasite.

Definition:
An acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophilia, which can cause a broad spectrum of disease from a mild cough and fever to a serious pneumonia by influenza-like illness, with high fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches.

Anatomy or system affected:
Chest, lungs, and respiratory system.

Location:
Found in warm water environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, hot tubs (spas) and unclorinated tap water.
Airborne microbes in wind gusts
Water delivery systems, cooling towers, air conditioning systems of large buildings including hospitals and hotels.
Soil

Pathogenicity/Infection:
Incubation period (2-10 days)
First symptom is cough (mucous) and diarrhea.
Most common in the summer months-air conditioning.

Mode of Transmission:
Through the respiratory route. (must reach the lungs)
Inhalation of small particles of contaminated water (aerosols) or soil.
Spread in indoor environments-cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot water tanks, hot water propelled from shower heads and faucets, and whirlpool spas.

Symptoms:
General discomfort, uneasiness or ill feeling, cough (of mucous or blood), headaches, shaking chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, high fever (over 104 degrees).
Chest pain, shortness of breath, aching muscles, stiffness, joint pain, loss of energy, lack of coordination.
Mental changes: confusi...