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Legionella: An infrequent cause of adult community acquired pneumonia in Dublin

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Summary

The commonest infectious agents identified in community acquired pneumonia (CAP) amongst 50 patients admitted to a Dublin hospital were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilis influenzae. Legionella pneumophila pneumonia occurred in only one patient who acquired infection abroad.

A serological screen of blood bank donors and renal transplant recipients failed to detect antibody to Legionella pneumophila supporting the clinical findings of a low prevalence of infection in this community. It is concluded that initial antibiotic therapy for patients with CAP need not routinely include cover for Legionella.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Microbiology and Respiratory Medicine, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland

    R. Hone, C. Haugh, B. O’Connor & J. Hollingsworth

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  1. R. Hone
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  2. C. Haugh
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  3. B. O’Connor
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  4. J. Hollingsworth
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Hone, R., Haugh, C., O’Connor, B. et al. Legionella: An infrequent cause of adult community acquired pneumonia in Dublin. I.J.M.S. 158, 230–232 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02943786

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02943786

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