Legionella [Pledge of Allegiance]

• Weakly gram negative stained bacteria
• Pleomorphic rods requiring cysteine and iron[ This fast spear rod combined with iron and cysteine for good culture on Charcoal Yeast Extract (CYE)]
• Facultative intracellular pathogen
• Transmission through air-conditioning vents[ Air-conditioner blowing legionella unto unsuspected victim]
• No human to human transmission [ man is alone with ac]
• Predisposing factors include smokers over 55 who drink Alcohol [ bald man with cigarrette in mouth and alcohol in hand]
• Pontiac fever [ the letters ac in Pontiac from air-conditioner]
  • Cause an Influenza like symptoms including headache, muscle ache, fatigue, fever and chills
• Legionnaires'disease [ the letter's air in Legionnaire's tells you it's from the air-conditioning unit]
• Symptoms include high fever and severe pneumonia with non-productive cough

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Visual Mnemonic - Legionella
Copyright 2004-2005 Mariusz Wysoczanski, all rights reserved.