Legionella detection from clinical and environmental samples.

This paper describes the methods used for diagnosis of Legionella. Diagnosis is an essential tool for prompt and proper antimicrobial therapy, and for understanding transmission routes. Likewise, environmental sample analysis allows us to know the distribution of Legionella in the environment and to detect the origins of infection during outbreaks by comparing clinical and environmental strains. Italian Journal of Public Health 2004;1:74-5.