title: [Legionnaires disease].
abstract: Legionnaires disease, more formally known as legionellosis, is a relatively common form of severe pneumonia caused by Legionella, a genus of waterborne bacteria. Legionellosis is acquired by inhalation of legionellae from contaminated environmental sources. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 is responsible for more than 80% of cases in most countries. More than 1500 cases were reported in France in 2005. Initial diagnosis is based on tests for urinary antigens. The mortality rate for legionellosis depends on the promptness of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Macrolides (erythromycin or intravenous azithromycin, which is preferred to erythromycin for its better pharmacodynamic properties) and fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin) are the antibiotics of choice for severe legionellosis.
authors.affiliation: Centre National de Référence des Légionelles, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, 69437 Lyon, France. sophie.jarraud@chu-lyon.fr
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jarraud
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reyrolle
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meugnier
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forey
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Etienne
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004203:Disinfection; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents