''Legionella longbeachae'' is one

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of the family Legionellaceae. It was first isolated from a patient in Long Beach, California. It is found predominantly in potting soil and compost. In humans, the infection is sometimes called

Pontiac fever Pontiac fever is an acute, nonfatal respiratory disease caused by various species of Gram-negative bacteria in the genus ''Legionella''. It causes a mild upper respiratory infection that resembles acute influenza. Pontiac fever resolves spontaneo ...

. Human infection from ''L. longbeachae'' is particularly common in Australia, but cases have been documented in other countries including the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

, Japan,

Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders ...

and the UK. The infection can be very serious, often leading to hospitalisation and sometimes death. Like other ''

Legionella ''Legionella'' is a genus of pathogenic gram-negative bacteria that includes the species '' L. pneumophila'', causing legionellosis (all illnesses caused by ''Legionella'') including a pneumonia-type illness called Legionnaires' disease and a mil ...

'' species, person-to-person transmission has not been documented, but unlike other species, the primary transmission mode has not been proven, but likely is inhalation or aspiration of dust from contaminated compost or soil that contains the organism causing

legionellosis Legionnaires' disease is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by any species of '' Legionella'' bacteria, quite often ''Legionella pneumophila''. Signs and symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pains, and headaches. Na ...

. Modes of transmission include poor hand-washing practices after gardening, long-term smoking, and being near dripping, hanging flower pots. Awareness of a possible health risk with potting mix protected against illness. Inhalation and ingestion are possible modes of transmission. Exposure to aerosolized organisms and poor gardening hygiene may be important predisposing factors to'' L. longbeachae'' infection.

Compost and potting mix warning labels

Compost must be handled with care, damped down with water to reduce dust before handling, and use of a face mask covering the nose and mouth to reduce the risk of inhaling the dust is needed, especially for those at high risk from infection. Studies advocate the introduction of an industry standard that ensures the use of face masks when handling potting mix and attaching masks and warning labels to potting mix bags sold to the public. Compost packaging in Australia has an ''L. longbeachae'' warning label. The

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

state government recommends that people reduce exposure to potting mix dust by following the manufacturers' warning present on potting mix labels, including: * Wetting down the potting mix to reduce the dust * Wearing gloves and a P2 mask when using potting mix * Washing hands after handling potting mix or soil, and before eating, drinking or smoking

Symptoms

Early symptoms include fever, chills, headache, shortness of breath, sometimes dry cough, and muscle aches and pain. Most people who breathe in the bacteria do not become ill. The risk of disease is increased with increased age and smoking, and in people with weakened immune systems.

References

External links

Tasmanian Health and Human Services ''Legionella'' pageType strain of ''Legionella longbeachae'' at Bac''Dive'' - the Bacterial Diversity Metadatabase
{{Taxonbar, from=Q6518170 Legionellales Bacteria described in 1982