Legionnaires Disease Flashcards
1
Q
Signs and symptoms
A
Muscle aches, headache, fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest and abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting
2
Q
Causative agent
A
Legionella pneumophila, a Gram negative bacterium that stains poorly in clinical specimens
3
Q
Pathogenesis
A
Organism multiplies within phagocytes; released with death of cell; necrosis of cells lining the alveoli; inflammation and formation of multiple small abscesses
4
Q
Epidemiology
A
Originates mainly from warm water contaminated with Protozoa such as found in air conditioning systems
5
Q
Treatment and prevention
A
Treatment: antibiotics
Prevention: avoiding the contaminated water aerosols; regular cleaning and disinfection of humidifying devices
