Legionellosis in hematology
Elias, E.; Delmee, M.; Tomasi, J.P.; Wauters, G.; Michaux, J.L.
Acta Clinica Belgica 41(3): 173-180
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 1784-3286 PMID: 3766036 Document Number: 268722
One hundred and fifty-two patients of the haematology ward have been prospectively studied over one year for Legionella pneumophila. The anti-legionella antibody levels were measured weekly, and the microorganism was sought for in bronchial secretion. In 14 patients, the antibody titer was 1/256 or higher. Among these 14, there was no follow-up in 4 and in 4 others the antibody titer remained stable. In 4 of 6 remaining patients the antibody titer increased over 1/1024 at the time of a severe lung infection. In 3 of them, Legionella pneumophila was isolated from bronchoalveolar aspirate or pleural effusion. The disease was systemic in these three patients. They had lymphoproliferative disease and developed adult respiratory distress syndrome. The outcome was favourable. The authors emphasize the severity of Legionella infection in immunodepressed patients and the therapeutic problems.