Clinical and diagnostic characteristics of Legionella pneumonia

Abstract

We have characterized clinical and diagnostic features in 18 cases of Legionella pneumonia. Age average of patients was 62.0 years old (male:female = 14:4) and underlying diseases were observed in 12 patients. Legionella pneumonia were diagnosed in 3, 5, 8 and 9 cases by culture, serum antibody measurement, urinary antigen detection and PCR, respectively. Sixteen cases were caused by L. pneumophila, while the other 2 cases were L. bozemanii pneumonia and L. pneumophila or L. dumoffii pneumonia. Chest X-rays of those patients showed multiple pneumonia shadows in 14 cases, alveolar shadows in 10 cases, pleural effusion in 5 cases. Blood-gas analysis on admission indicated hypoxemia in all cases with abnormal A-a DO2. Laboratory findings showed abnormal data in WBC, CRP, LDH, CPK and liver function tests (ex. GOT, GPT) in most cases. Serum antibody testing showed positive by 5 weeks after onset of pneumonia, but 10 cases of Legionella pneumonia diagnosed by other techniques were judged to be negative. In urinary antigen detection test, 6 and 2 cases showed positive 1 and 4 weeks after onset of pneumonia, respectively. Macrolide antibiotics were administered in all cases during the episode, but delay of macrolide administration was observed in 3 of 4 cases of dead outcome. Serum antibody measurement, urinary antigen detection and PCR, in addition to culture to bacteria, may be required for exact diagnosis of Legionella infection.