Legionella Management Specialists

Legionellosis refers to illness caused by bacteria of the genus Legionella including Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. The most serious form of disease caused by Legionella is Legionnaires’ disease, a severe pneumonia with a relatively high fatality rate, which was first recognized in 1976. Outbreaks and sporadic infections occur throughout the world. At least 61 species of Legionella have been discovered and over 28 have been associated with disease in humans, but the predominant cause of Legionnaires’ disease is L. pneumophila.
 
Legionella are opportunistic pathogens of humans and normally inhabit warm, moist, or aquatic environments where they grow in association with other organisms. In particular, they are known to grow in a range of protozoa. Their predilection for warm water means that they are capable of colonizing artificial water systems and equipment containing water.

Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious from person to person but is of environmental origin and usually contracted by inhaling the organism in an aerosol produced from water contaminated with the organism. Aspiration of water (water going down the wrong way) containing Legionella  can also cause infection, particularly in hospitalized individuals.