Plasma cell pneumonia induced by Legionella pneumophila.
We report a case of severe Legionella pneumonia in which the histopathologic features of an open lung biopsy specimen were characterized by a monotypic plasma cell infiltrate and absence of granulocytes or other acute inflammatory cells. The clinical course was otherwise typical for a severe case of Legionella pneumonia with complete functional and roentgenographic recovery following a prolonged convalescence. We speculate on possible reasons for this patient's unusual histopathologic features.
Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington.
J J
JJ
Walsh
J
J
Kelley
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology