Legionnaires' Disease

Course overview

Legionnaires' disease first appeared in July 1976, when an outbreak of a (then unknown) lung infection was found among attendees of the 58th annual convention of the American Legion held in Philadelphia. Legionella is naturally found in the environment. Legionella pneumophila is well recognized as a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. In 2018, there were 10,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reports indicate prevalence of Legionella infections has increased during the past 20 years. It is not known if this is due to better diagnostic techniques or changes in the environment.