title: The occurrence of antibodies against Legionella pneumophila in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases are more susceptible to infection, owing to the underlying disease itself or to its treatment. Most commonly, infections affect the respiratory and urinary tracts. One of the etiological factors of infections in these patients is the bacteria of the genus Legionella.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anti-Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) antibodies in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases and to analyze individual and environmental risk factors for the development of Legionella infection in patients with positive antibody results.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 165 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases and 100 healthy subjects. Serum samples were tested for the presence of specific antibodies in the immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG classes against L. pneumophila serogroups 1 to 7 (SG 1-7) and the IgG class for serogroup 1 (SG 1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antibodies against L. pneumophila were found in 7 patients (4%): 5 cases with antibody positivity only in the IgG class and 2 cases with antibody positivity in both classes. In patients with positive IgG antibodies for SG 1-7, specific antibodies for L. pneumophila SG 1 were not detected. In the control group, positive results were obtained in 9 cases (9%): IgM positivity in 6 (6%) and IgG positivity in 3 (3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of antibodies to L. pneumophila in our patients is comparable to that in healthy individuals. L. pneumophila should be recognized as a potential pathogen in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Primary disease condition, immunosuppressive therapy, and other risk factors should not be ignored in these patients.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Sikora
authors: Arkadiusz
authors: A
authors: Koszarny
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Kozioł-Montewka
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Majdan
authors: Jolanta
authors: J
authors: Paluch-Oleś
authors: Małgorzata M
authors: MM
authors: Kozioł
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M