Legionella

Legionella pneumophila was first recorded in 1976 after a crisis at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hence the name Legionnaires’ disease or legionellosis.

This bacterium is mainly present in two completely different clinical forms: on the one hand, lung infection or Legionnaires’ disease, which is characterized by pneumonia with high fever, and the form known as Pontiac fever, which manifests as a low-impact acute febrile syndrome. Thus, with regard to the severity of the disease, it can range from a mild cough to severe pneumonia that causes death due to progressive lack of air in the lungs, shock and multi-organ failure.

According to the World Health Organization, this disease is found in all parts of the world.

The BinaxNOW™ Legionella Antigen Card is a rapid test for the qualitative detection of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen in the urine of patients with symptoms of pneumonia. It is designed to assist, in conjunction with culture and other methods, in the possible diagnosis of Legionellosis caused by L. pneumophila serogroup 1.