292
Diseases Study Group for
Legionella
Infections (ESGLI) for more precise
information on distribution and relatedness than is achievable with only
serologicalsubtyping(67).Since there isnodirectcorrelationbetweenMAb
patterns and STs, bothmethods provide helpful but disparate information
when used to characterize
L. pneumophila
from environmental or clinical
sources.
Conclusion
Legionnaires’ disease is a consequence of altering the environment
for human benefit. It is likely that humans and
Legionella
have co-existed
for a very long time but recent industrial technology has provided these
bacteria ameans for causing infection inhumans. Legionnaires’ disease is
themost common etiologic agent ofwaterborne disease indrinkingwater
in theUnitedStateswhere the incidenceof diseasehasmore thandoubled
in the past decade (27). Although the disease can be effectively treated
with appropriate antimicrobial agents, measures aimed at preventing
transmission of the bacteria from environmental sources to susceptible
hosts are varied and of questionable efficacy. Health care professionals,
engineers, and industry associations continue to increase their awareness
and understanding of legionellae and legionellosis. However, it can be
difficult todeterminewhether increasedunderstandinghas led tomeasures
that have reduced the incidence of this disease. Empirical antibiotic
treatment of pneumoniaswithin four hours of admission, while providing
better outcomes for the patient, inhibits public health surveillance on the
incidence of legionellosis. Effective strategies can only be measured by
approaches that bothunderstand the incidenceof disease andmeasure the
efficacyof preventative actions.Although
Legionella
cannot be eradicated
