infectious diseases
Legionella Infections
Diseases caused byLegionellaspecies
Legionellainfection is more frequent and more severe in the following: Older people Patients with diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Cigarette smokers Immunocompromised patients (typically with diminished cell-mediated immunity) The lungs are the most common site of infection; community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia may occur. Extrapulmonary legionellosis is rare; manifestations include sinusitis, hip wound infection, myocarditis, pericarditis, and prosthetic valve endocarditis, frequently in the absence of pneumonia. 