Legionellosis overview

Overview
Legionellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Legionella. Over 90% of legionellosis cases are caused by Legionella pneumophila, a ubiquitous aquatic organism that thrives in warm environments (25 to 45 °C with an optimum around 35 °C).

Legionellosis takes two distinct forms:


 * Legionnaires' disease is the more severe form of the infection and produces pneumonia.
 * Pontiac fever is caused by the same bacterium, but produces a milder respiratory illness without pneumonia which resembles acute influenza.