About this Research Topic
It is only a little more than 30 years since Legionella pneumophila was recognized as a human pathogen and the cause of a severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. The discovery that L. pneumophila is ubiquitous in aquatic environments and exists as an intracellular parasite of protozoa has provided a link between bacterial ecology and human disease. This Research Topic provides updated information on several important areas of Legionella research. Articles begin by discussing genomics of Legionella spp as it has significantly increased our knowledge of the pathogenesis of this disease by providing new insights into the evolution and genetic and physiological basis of Legionella–host interactions. Articles then further focus on different areas of host-Legionella interactions with protozoan or human cells. New findings on basic mechanisms of pathogen–host interactions, remarkable facts about the genetic basis of the intracellular lifestyle of Legionella, and its striking ability to manipulate host cell processes by molecular mimicry are discussed. Finally, knowledge of the host response to Legionella infection is presented.
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