Legionella

Broader Terms

bacteria

Related Terms

emerging infectious disease, gram negative bacteria, legionellosis

Scope Note

gram negative aerobic rods, isolated from surface water, mud, or thermally polluted lakes or streams; it is pathogenic for man and it has no known soil or animal sources.

Facts (generated by robot; please edit if you find it inaccurate)

• Person-to-person transmission has never been demonstrated, and Legionella is not a member of the bacterial flora of humans.
• However, new evidence suggests that another way of contracting Legionella is more common.
• Because Legionella is widespread in the environment eradication of the bacteria is impossible.
• Classification Higher order taxa: Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Legionellales; Legionellaceae Species: Legionella pneumophila Legionella feeleii Legionella sainthelensi Description and Significance Legionella is related to the genus Coxiella.
• Because hotels limit the temperature of the hot water to keep from scalding guests, the Legionella is not killed.