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Legionella pneumophila, a bacterium ubiquitous in water and soil, can cause human respiratory infection when aerosols are inspired. These aerosols can arise from construction sites, cooling tower air conditioners on rooftops, and hot tubs. The organism is resistant to heat (up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) and to usual levels of water chlorination.
In June 2017, the Tennessee Department of Health was notified by the CDC of two travel-associated cases of Legionella infection in visitors from Florida and the U.K. who had stayed at a hotel in Memphis. A third infection in a recent guest at the hotel was subsequently identified. All three had urine tests that were positive for Legionella antigen, the most accurate test for this infection, and all t…