infectious diseases
Legionella Infections
Transmission ofLegionellaspecies
Legionellaorganisms are often present in soil and fresh water. Amebas present in fresh water are a natural reservoir for these bacteria.Legionellaorganisms may enter a building's plumbing system via freshwater sources; a building’s water supply is often the source of aLegionellaoutbreak. Warm water temperatures of 25 to 40° C (77 to 104° F) support the highest concentrations of the organism in plumbing systems.Legionellaorganisms are embedded in a biofilm that forms on the inside of water pipes and containers. The infection is usually acquired by inhaling aerosols (or less often aspiration) of contaminated water (eg, as generated by shower heads, misters, decorative fountains, whirlpool baths, or water cooling towers for air-conditioning). infection is not transmitted from person to person, although one probable case was reported in 2016 ( Transmission reference ). 