Fatal Legionnaires' disease coincident with initiation of immunosuppressive therapy.

Abstract

A fatal relapse of legionnaires' disease occurred coincidental with the initiation of chemotherapy in a patient who had received previous parenteral erythromycin gluceptate therapy for 30 days. Sputum examinations utilizing the direct fluorescent antibody test for Legionella pneumophila suggested persistence of infection during the course of antibiotic therapy. This case suggests that administration of immunosuppressive agents should be delayed in patients whose sputum is positive on direct fluorescent antibody testing, regardless of previous antibiotic therapy.

• Authors: P A Sheldon, R R Tight, E D Renner
• Journal: Archives of internal medicine (Arch Intern Med) Vol. 145 Issue 6 Pg. 1138-9 (Jun 1985) ISSN: 0003-9926 [Print] United States
• PMID: 4004442 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• erythromycin glucoheptonate
• Erythromycin
• Cyclophosphamide

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (drug therapy, secondary)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (adverse effects)
• Cyclophosphamide (adverse effects)
• Erythromycin (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Legionnaires' Disease (drug therapy, microbiology, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Recurrence