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In July 1976 an outbreak of severe pneumonia occurred among U.S. veterans attending a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. Of the 147 persons admitted to hospitals, 29 died. Identification of the organism responsible (subsequently named Legionella pneumophila) constituted a classic medical detective story. The bacterium had evaded detection before because it does not stain with the usual stains used in sputum examination. Today it is known that this bacterium may grow in air-conditioning systems or on shower heads, and it has been shown to be responsible for sporadic but severe outbreaks of pneumonia, particularly but not exclusively in ...(100 of 14530 words)