Legionnaires’ Disease
Suzanne Kery
HIT 112-Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests
Professor: Kathy Taylor
June 8, 2016
Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by a gram-negative bacteria, Legionella pneumophila (VanMeter and Hubert, p.286). This bacteria can be found almost anywhere; however, this microbe thrives in warm, moist environments, such as pools, spas, hot tubs and air conditioning units. Legionnaires’ disease is transferred through the inhalation of small droplets of water.
The incubation period can take from two to ten days after being exposed to the bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is diagnosed in a specialized laboratory where sputum from the patient is tested for the Legionella bacteria using a special medium. Another test used to detect Legionella is the direct fluorescent antibody in which the bacterium can be stained and becomes visible under a fluorescent microscope (Legionella, 2016). Blood tests are used to test for antibodies reactive against Legionella. Urine can also be used to detect Legionella.
In the more advanced stage of Legionnaires’ disease, chest x-rays are done, not to confirm the disease, but to show the extent of the infection in the lungs. If neurological symptoms are present, a …show more content…
The American Legion’s convention was held on July 21-24th (Chernick, 2015). Like any other summer in Philadelphia, the weather was warm and humid, but not out of the normal anticipated heat range. The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel ran their air conditioning to keep their guests comfortable during these warm days of summer, not knowing their air conditioning would spread the bacteria that would cause an outbreak. This outbreak infected 182 people and killed 34 during this convention (Chernick,
Suzanne Kery
HIT 112-Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests
Professor: Kathy Taylor
June 8, 2016
Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by a gram-negative bacteria, Legionella pneumophila (VanMeter and Hubert, p.286). This bacteria can be found almost anywhere; however, this microbe thrives in warm, moist environments, such as pools, spas, hot tubs and air conditioning units. Legionnaires’ disease is transferred through the inhalation of small droplets of water.
The incubation period can take from two to ten days after being exposed to the bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is diagnosed in a specialized laboratory where sputum from the patient is tested for the Legionella bacteria using a special medium. Another test used to detect Legionella is the direct fluorescent antibody in which the bacterium can be stained and becomes visible under a fluorescent microscope (Legionella, 2016). Blood tests are used to test for antibodies reactive against Legionella. Urine can also be used to detect Legionella.
In the more advanced stage of Legionnaires’ disease, chest x-rays are done, not to confirm the disease, but to show the extent of the infection in the lungs. If neurological symptoms are present, a …show more content…
The American Legion’s convention was held on July 21-24th (Chernick, 2015). Like any other summer in Philadelphia, the weather was warm and humid, but not out of the normal anticipated heat range. The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel ran their air conditioning to keep their guests comfortable during these warm days of summer, not knowing their air conditioning would spread the bacteria that would cause an outbreak. This outbreak infected 182 people and killed 34 during this convention (Chernick,