Legionnaires' disease in immunocompromised patients: a case report of Legionella longbeachae pneumonia and review of the literature.
In addition to Legionella pneumophila, about 20 Legionella species have been documented as human pathogens. The majority of infections by non-pneumophila Legionella species occur in immunocompromised and splenectomized patients. Here, we report a case of 'classical' lobar pneumonia caused by Legionella longbeachae in a splenectomized patient receiving corticosteroids for chronic immune thrombocytopenia. Tests for Legionella antigen were negative. L. longbeachae was immediately detected in bronchoalveolar fluid by PCR and subsequently confirmed by culture on legionella-selective media. The features of Legionnaires' disease in immunocompromised patients with special emphasis on significance and detection of non-pneumophila species are reviewed.
Kümpers
Philipp
P
Department of Internal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Tiede
Andreas
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Kirschner
Philip
P
Department of Medical Microbiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Girke
Jutta
J
Department of Internal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Ganser
Arnold
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Peest
Dietrich
D
Department of Internal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
D000368:Aged; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D044128:Legionella longbeachae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007876:Legionellosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D003470:Culture Media