The National Surveillance System for legionellosis: results for the year 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Legionellosis is the common name for infections caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Legionella. The most severe clinical presentation is an interstitial pneumonia, named Legionnaires' disease, caused by Legionella pneumophila. The disease is subject to mandatory reporting and laboratory tests are required to confirm the diagnosis. This article summarises the results of the National Surveillance System (NSS) for legionellosis for the year 2021, coordinated and managed by the Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS). This report highlights also the microbiological surveillance data from the national reference laboratory for legionellosis of the ISS. Materials and methods: The surveillance forms, filled in by the doctors who diagnose legionellosis, are analyzed by the NSS for possible sources of infection, clinical picture and etiological assessment. In parallel with the NSS there is a European Surveillance System for Travel associated Legionnaires 'disease, the European Legionnaires' Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet).