Chapters authored
A Clinical Overview of Hospital-Acquired Legionella Pneumonia: Prevention Is the Key?
Legionella pneumophila is a Gram-negative bacteria that cause community-acquired pneumonia in very common circumstances. Although it is rare to develop hospital-acquired pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila, there are cases where the infection appears during its presence in the hospital environment or because of the existence of Legionella outbreaks. It is important to mention that the colonization of this organism is mostly found in some hospital water supplies. The prevention of the spreading of this nosocomial pathogen is crucial for the hospital setting by identification of the bacteria. Using surveillance and control of infection, as well as maintaining beneficial isolation of those patients with the disease, could prevent the dissemination of this rare infection among hospitalized patients that are highly vulnerable. The treatment should be effective and according to the standard of care guidelines. The initiation of empiric antibiotic therapy is critical once the pathogen is suspected to be the etiology of pneumonia.
Part of the book: Hospital Acquired Infection and Legionnaires' Disease