Definitions for "Legionellosis"
an upper-respiratory tract infection caused by Legionella bacteria, which are widely distributed in nature and may be spread via contaminated water supplies. Infection is often acquired nosocomially (in a hospital).
Legionellosis (infection by any Legionella species) is an acute bacterial infection that can present as - Legionnaires' disease: This is the pneumonic form of the illness where the patient typically presents with severe pneumonia that frequently culminates in respiratory failure. Early symptoms are anorexia, malaise, myalgia and fever (flu-like). There is usually multi-system involvement with diarrhoea, vomiting, mental confusion, delirium and renal failure. All cases of Legionnaires' disease must be notified to the Victorian Department of Human Services. or - Pontiac fever: The non-pneumonic form, presents mainly as a flu-like illness with spontaneous recovery and no reported deaths. It has a high attack rate (95 per cent) and outbreaks have been reported overseas. Pontiac fever has not been reported in Australia. It is not notifiable.
Legionellosis is an infection caused by the genus of Gram negative bacteria Legionella, notably Legionella pneumophila. At least 46 species and 70 serogroups have been identified.