Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia that can occur in epidemics of several hundred cases. This atypical pneumonia is characterized by a high mortality rate and affects primarily elderly and immuno-compromised individuals. An in-depth understanding of the ecology and virulence of Legionella spp. will contribute to an efficient and sustainable elimination of the bacteria from anthropogenic water systems and might lead to the development of novel therapeutics. The many different methods described in Legionella: Methods and Protocols are all specifically adapted and developed for the study of distinct features of L. pneumophila, and have already led to exciting discoveries. Most of these techniques can also be applied to the study of other bacterial pathogens, in particular intracellular pathogens like Shigella, Salmonella or Listeria. . Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Legionella: Methods and Protocols will not only be useful for research groups studying Legionella, but also for a broader scientific community studying the epidemiology, typing, physiology, pathogenesis, immunity, genetics and evolution of other bacterial pathogens.
