Active Bacterial Core Surveillance for Legionellosis — United States, 2011–2013

• DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6442a2
• Publication Date: 2015-10-28T16:32:24Z
• Authors: Kathleen L. Dooling; Karrie-Ann Toews; Lauri A. Hicks; Laurel E. Garrison; Brian Bachaus; Shelley Zansky; L. Rand Carpenter; Bill Schaffner; Erin Parker; Susan Petit; Ann Thomas; Stephanie Thomas; Robert Mansmann; Craig Morin; Benjamin White; Gayle E. Langley
• Keywords: Legionella; Disease Surveillance; Legionnaires' disease; Public health surveillance

During 2000–2011, passive surveillance for legionellosis in the United States demonstrated a 249% increase crude incidence, although little was known about clinical course and method of diagnosis. In 2011, system active, population-based instituted through CDC’s Active Bacterial Core (ABCs) program. Overall disease rates were similar both active systems, but more complete demographic information additional laboratory data only available from ABCs. ABCs during 2011–2013 showed that approximately 44% patients with required intensive care, 9% died. Disease incidence higher among blacks than whites 10 times New York California. Laboratory indicated reliance on urinary antigen testing, which detects Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1). highlight severity disease, need to better understand racial regional differences, diagnostic testing detect infections.