The treatment of Legionnaires’ disease

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Abstract
The Legionellaceae family contains over 40 recognized species, but less than half of these cause disease in humans. The most frequently pathogenic species is Legionella pneumophila, of which there are 14 serogroups. L. pneumophilaaccounts for 90% (and serogroups 1- 6 for 85%) of all infections. Other important species include Legionella micdadei,Legionella bozemanii,Legionella dumoffii and Legionella longbeachae.The principal clinical illness is pneumonia (Legionnaires’ disease), although L. pneumophila has also been implicated in cases of endocarditis and myocarditis, and in haemodialysis infections.