Legionella: from protozoa to humans

Abstract : Pathogens that are able to enter and multi- ply within human cells are responsible for multiple diseases and millions of deaths worldwide. Thus, the challenge is to elu- cidate these pathogen-specific and cell biological mechanisms involved in intra- cellular growth and spread. Bacteria from the genus Legionella belong to this group of pathogens. They are environmental bac- teria and ubiquitous in nature, where they parasitize protozoa.