According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although 18 000 to 25 000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila occur each year, the diagnosis is reported in only 1200 to 1500 cases because of the nonspecific signs and symptoms of the disease and inadequate testing for Legionella. This case study presents information about the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment of legionnaires disease and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis.

Legionella pneumophila, an aerobic, gram-negative bacillus, is 1 of the top 3 causes of community-acquired pneumonia,1 accounting for 3% to 15% of all cases.2 According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although 18 000 to 25 000 cases of pneumonia due to this organism occur each year, the diagnosis is reported in only 1200 to 1500 cases because of the nonspecific signs and symptoms of the disease and inadequate testing for...

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