title: Legionella pneumophila infection in Taiwan: a preliminary report.
abstract: Legionella pneumophila infection has been recognized as an important cause of pneumonia. However, epidemiologic baseline data about the occurrence of legionella-related pneumonia and the distribution of legionellae in aquatic environments are still not available in Taiwan. A survey conducted by the National Institute of Preventive Medicine found that 8.6% of 487 pneumonia patients studied were positive for the L. pneumophila serologic test (indirect fluorescent test, IFA) and 32.0% of the 25 water samples were positive for isolation of legionellae. In conclusion, this survey supported the existence of Legionnaires' disease in Taiwan, indicated a preliminary prevalence of L. pneumophila antibodies among pneumonia patients and identified the prevalence of legionellae in water environments.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Preventive Medicine, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Yea
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Horng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology