Why Is Legionellosis Not Treated with β-Lactam Medications

Why is legionellosis not treated with β-lactam medications?

A) The causative organism produces β-lactamases, so is resistant to many of these medications.
B) The medication must be able to accumulate within alveolar macrophages to be effective, which β-lactam antibiotics do poorly.
C) The causative organism produces β-lactamases, so is resistant to many of these medications AND the causative organism is acid-fast, so has mycolic acids and waxes in the cell wall that β-lactams cannot penetrate.
D) The causative organism is acid-fast, so has mycolic acids and waxes in the cell wall that β-lactams cannot penetrate AND the causative organism produces endospores so is highly resistant to these medications.
E) The medication must be able to accumulate within alveolar macrophages to be effective, which β-lactam antibiotics do poorly AND the causative organism produces β-lactamases, so is resistant to many of these medications.

Correct Answer:

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