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Alternative names Return to top
Legionella pneumonia; Pontiac feverDefinition Return to top
Legionnaire's disease is an acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, which can cause a broad spectrum of disease from mild cough and fever to a serious pneumonia.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
The bacteria that cause Legionnaire's disease have been found in water delivery systems and can survive in the warm, moist, air conditioning systems of large buildings including hospitals. The infection is transmitted through the respiratory system. Person-to-person spread has not been proved.Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection with antibiotics. Treatment is started as soon as Legionnaire's disease is suspected, without waiting for confirmation by culture results.
The antibiotic commonly used is quinolone (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, or gatifloxacin) or a macrolide (azithromycin, clarithromycin, or erythromycin).
Supportive treatment includes hospitalization for fluid and electrolyte replacement and oxygen administration by mask or by mechanical ventilation, if the respiratory system becomes severely compromised by the infection.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
The overall death rate for those with pneumonia is about 15%, and the death rate increases in those with underlying diseases. The mortality for patients who develop Legionnaire's disease while hospitalized is close to 50%, especially when antibiotics are started late.Complications Return to top
Some complications include respiratory failure requiring use of a respirator.
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if breathing difficulties develop.Prevention Return to top
Active surveillance of infections that were acquired within a hospital can lead to the treatment of contaminated water delivery systems. Detection and treatment of sources outside hospitals usually occurs during or after an epidemic has happened. Update Date: 8/11/2003 Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |