Update of Legionella infections

Legionella spp. are significant causes of both community-acquired pneumonia and nosocomial pneumonia. More than 40 species of Legionella have now been identified. The spectrum of disease ranges from asymptomatic infection to serious disease, with two specific syndromes identified: Legionnaire's dise ase and Pontiac fever. Hospital-acquired infection arises from the presence of Legionella in the hospital water supply. The optimal approach for the d etection and prevention of nosocomial infection is debatable-whether or not periodic sampling of hospital water systems should be carried out in the a bsence of clinical cases is controversial. Newer macrolides or newer fluoro quinolone agents are the preferred therapy for serious diseases caused by L egionella. Curr Opin Infect Dis 12:127-132. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.