Severe Bacterial Pneumonia due to Legionella longbeachae Transmitted from Potting Soil in Japan.

Abstract

Pneumonia caused by Legionella longbeachae, transmitted through contaminated soil, is very rare in Japan. A 70-year-old man with severe respiratory failure was admitted to our hospital and underwent multidisciplinary procedures. Although a urinary antigen test was negative for Legionella, he was clinically diagnosed with legionellosis and administered levofloxacin. His condition subsequently improved. Thereafter, sputum culture detected L. longbeachae. Because the DNA of L. longbeachae was detected in the gardening soil, it is suspected source of infection. Therefore, it is important to suspect legionellosis based on clinical information, even if a urine antigen test is negative.

• Authors: Hidemi Ogawa, Kenichiro Takeda, Ryotaro Yoneoka, Kohei Shikano, Mitsuhiro Abe, Hajime Kasai, Takuji Suzuki
• Journal: Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) (Intern Med) (Nov 27 2023) ISSN: 1349-7235 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 38008456 (Publication Type: Journal Article)