Legionella: An uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

JAAPA.

Abstract

Abstract

Legionnaires disease is an important, relatively uncommon, yet well known form of atypical community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). If not appropriately treated in the early stage of infection, it can be fatal. Several factors increase the risk of contracting Legionnaires disease, including age over 50 years, chronic cardiovascular disease, underlying respiratory disease, chronic renal disease, diabetes, smoking, any immunosuppressing condition, travel history, and certain types of employment. Legionnaires disease can present without the usual symptoms associated with pneumonia. The incidence of Legionnaires disease is increasing, and because of its morbidity and mortality, clinicians should consider it in the differential when treating patients with CAP. This article reviews the pathophysiology and treatment of Legionnaires disease and when to refer patients to tertiary centers for higher levels of care, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

First Page

38

Last Page

42

DOI

10.1097/01.JAA.0000873792.00538.78.

Publication Date

10-2022

Comments

Barimani M. J. (2022). Legionella: An uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia. JAAPA : official journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, 35(10), 38–42. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JAA.0000873792.00538.78

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