[Legionnaires' disease: 21 cases observed over 2.5 years in a Parisian respiratory intensive care unit].

Abstract

The incidence of Legionnaire's disease is probably underestimated in France. Its clinical presentation is very suggestive, especially after the failure of a 48 hour therapeutic trial of beta-lactams, when a pneumococcal infection is initially suspected. This one sign is sufficient to orient the diagnostic survey and constitutes an indication for a therapeutic trial of macrolides for at least 72 hours. In fact, the delay in the diagnosis appears to be the determinant factor in the fatal outcome of the disease.

• Authors: M F Carette, C Mayaud, E Dournon, A Bure, S Houacine, B Morinière, J F Sicard, G Akoun
• Journal: Revue de pneumologie clinique (Rev Pneumol Clin) Vol. 41 Issue 2 Pg. 107-13 ( 1985) ISSN: 0761-8417 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: La maladie des légionnaires: 21 cas observés en 2 ans et demi dans une unité parisienne de soins intensifs respiratoires.
• PMID: 4023532 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Lactams
• Erythromycin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Erythromycin (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Intensive Care Units
• Lactams
• Legionella (isolation & purification)
• Legionnaires' Disease (diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology, immunology)
• Lung (diagnostic imaging)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Paris
• Pneumonia (etiology)
• Prognosis
• Radiography
• Retrospective Studies
• Serologic Tests