Legionnaires' disease in elderly people: the first sign of an outbreak in the community?
Legionella pneumophila is responsible for up to 5% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia and mainly affects people aged over 50 years. The confirmation of legionellosis in two elderly patients living close to each other prompted a search for other cases. A total of eleven subjects with legionnaires' disease was recognized. The clinical findings are described and the diagnosis of legionellosis is discussed. Environmental investigations pointed to a cooling tower in the local town centre as the probable source of infection.
Peiris
V
V
Public Health Laboratory, Royal Preston Hospital.
Prasad
M K
MK
Bradley
D
D
Zawistowicz
W
W
Sivayoham
S
S
Naqvi
S N
SN
Hutchinson
D N
DN
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply