Increased Incidence of Legionellosis after Improved Diagnostic Methods, New Zealand, 2000-2020.

Legionellosis, notably Legionnaires' disease, is recognized globally and in New Zealand (Aotearoa) as a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia. We analyzed the temporal, geographic, and demographic epidemiology and microbiology of Legionnaires' disease in New Zealand by using notification and laboratory-based surveillance data for 2000‒2020. We used Poisson regression models to estimate incidence rate ratios and 95% CIs to compare demographic and organism trends over 2 time periods (2000-2009 and 2010-2020).

Environmental Investigation and Surveillance for Legionella in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2000-2020.

The reported rate of legionellosis is increasing in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) with most cases community-acquired, sporadic (non-outbreak) and without an identifiable source. This analysis used two datasets to describe the environmental sources that contribute to Legionella in NZ, based on linkages with outbreaks and sporadic clinical cases, and analysis of environmental testing data. These findings highlight the need for enhanced environmental investigation of clinical cases and outbreaks.

Epidemiology and direct health care costs of hospitalised legionellosis in New Zealand, 2000-2020.

Background: Legionellosis is a collective term used for disease caused by Legionella species which result in community and hospital acquired pneumonia worldwide. The aim of this analysis was to describe the epidemiology of legionellosis hospitalisations in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) over a 21-year period and quantify the health care costs.

Method: This study combined national legionellosis notification and hospital discharge data that were linked via the National Health Index (NHI) to provide a more complete dataset of hospitalised cases.

Global Perspective of Infection in Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Legionnaires' disease (LD) () is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in those requiring hospitalization. Geographical variation in the importance of species as an aetiologic agent of CAP is poorly understood. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based observational studies that reported the proportion of infection in patients with CAP (1 January 1990 to 31 May 2020).

The mysterious illness that drove them to their knees - Ah, that Legionnaires' disease - A historical reflection of the work in Legionnaires' disease in New Zealand (1978 to mid-1990s) and the 'One Health' paradigm.

And so, formed the basis for the song Legionnaires' disease (LD) composed by the legendry musician Bob Dylan shortly after this mysterious illness dramatically entered the clinical and epidemiological scene in July 1976 at an American hotel. Now more than forty years have passed since , the causative agent of LD, was formally identified in 1977. Once the publicity associated with the outbreak subsided, there was the challenge to science and health professionals of what was an extremely complex and intriguing health concern.

Review Global seroprevalence of legionellosis - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Legionella is a ubiquitous pathogen yet the global occurrence of legionellosis is poorly understood. To address this deficit, this paper summarises the available evidence on the seroprevalence of Legionella antibodies and explores factors that may influence seroprevalence estimates. Through a systematic review, a total of 3979 studies were identified with seroprevalence results published after 1 January 1990.

Survival of Legionella in earthquake-induced soil disturbance (liquefaction) in residential areas, Christchurch, New Zealand: implications for disease.

Aim: To investigate a possible link between liquefaction dust exposure and the noticeable increase in legionellosis cases in response to major earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 that resulted in widespread soil disturbance (liquefaction) in parts of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Method: We culture tested liquefaction-affected soil for Legionella spp. in the six months following the first earthquake in 2010.