Legionellosis - Cause

Cause

L. pneumophila is specifically considered as a pathogen of the respiratory tract. Surface organelles are made up from at least forty various protein components reconcile motile bacteria. Other infections have also been reported, including haemodialysis fistulae, pericarditis, and wound and skin infections. Bacteraemia is often associated with Legionnaires' disease. Intestinal infections may only occur as part of respiratory infections, and where gastrointestinal symptoms have on occasion been described.

One interesting feature in transmissive Legionella pneumophila is how monopolar flagellum is made up of the flagellin subunit FlaA. The function of the flagellum involves the development of Legionella pneumophila for "human macrophage-like cell lines and cytotoxicity to macrophages". Recent studies have shown flagellin noticed by mouse macrophages brings about cell death by the activation of cytosolic Naip5 (Birc1e) receptor.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory, antisera produced in rabbits have been prepared against all species and serogroups of Legionella and have been used in the CDC laboratory to distinguish the most Legionella strains in slide agglutination tests. Although, the development of an antigen that can diagnose infections with all species and serogroups of Legionella has not yet been discovered.

Infections of protozoa such as Hartmannella vermiformis and related protozoa have been shown to be able to support the growth of L. pneumophila in tap water. Also Acanthamoeba, Naegleria and Tetrahymena can be infected by L. pneumophila. This pathway may be how these organisms survive in the environment.