Publication details
Legionely a legionářská nemoc
| Title in English | Legionella and Legionnaires' disease |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2010 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Causa subita, časopis pro lékaře v praxi |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Epidemiology, infectious diseases and clinical immunology |
| Keywords | Legionella Pneumophilla Legionnaires' disease Pontiac fever cooling tower biofilm biocid |
| Description | Legionella species infection falls within the three most common causes of pneumonia in community environment, requiring hospitalization and intensive care. The risk of an individual infection arises from buildings equipped with air-conditioning. The major risks are also the cooling towers of industrial technologies, water distribution in buildings, spa treatments and thermal procedures. Legionnaire's disease is an illness of atypical pneumonia with high mortality rates especially among people with weakened immune system. Benign form is Pontiac fever. Diagnosis must be confirmed by laboratory test. Legionnaire's disease is treated with macrolides and fluoroquinolones. Prevention is focused on laboratory monitoring, risk assessment and disinfection, in order to maintain an acceptable concentration of Legionella in water systems. |