Seroprevalence of antibodies to legionella pneumophila in hemodialysis patients.

Abstract

Patients with chronic renal failure are at increased risk for infections because of impaired cellular immunity. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 to 6 and to evaluate the possible risk factors for Legionnaires' disease in hemodialysis patients. Serum samples to be screened for antibodies against L pneumophila and risk factor data were collected from 252 hemodialysis patients. The overall prevalence of L pneumophila antibodies in hemodialysis patients was found to be 5.16% There was no statistically significant difference between L pneumophila seropositivity and potential risk factors. Further studies are needed to determine possible risk factors for Legionnaires' disease in hemodialysis patients.

• Authors: G Ongut, A Yavuz, D Ogunc, M Tuncer, F Ozturk, D Mutlu, L Donmez, D Colak, F Ersoy, G Yakupoglu, M Gultekin
• Journal: Transplantation proceedings (Transplant Proc) 2004 Jan-Feb Vol. 36 Issue 1 Pg. 44-6 ISSN: 0041-1345 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15013296 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Bacterial
• Recombinant Proteins
• Erythropoietin
• Ferritins

Topics

• Anemia (drug therapy, etiology)
• Antibodies, Bacterial (blood)
• Erythropoietin (therapeutic use)
• Ferritins (blood)
• Humans
• Kidney Failure, Chronic (complications, etiology, therapy)
• Legionella pneumophila (immunology)
• Legionnaires' Disease (epidemiology)
• Middle Aged
• Recombinant Proteins (therapeutic use)
• Renal Dialysis
• Risk Factors
• Smoking
• Time Factors
• Water Supply