Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella longbeachae and Legionella pneumophila: comparison of clinical features, host-related risk factors, and outcomes

Abstract

Legionnaires' disease remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Disease caused by Legionella pneumophila has been extensively studied, and its clinical characteristics have been well described. There is, however, little information on disease caused by Legionella longbeachae, despite its importance in some countries. We undertook a retrospective review of culture-positive cases of Legionnaires' disease in the Canterbury region of New Zealand over 10 years, in order to compare the clinical features and outcomes of Legionnaires' disease caused by these two species.