Legionella lung abscess after renal transplantation

• Published in: The Journal of infection Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 51,IN1,53 - 52,IN1,55
• Main Authors: Bauling, Paul C., Weil, Richard, Schröter, Gerhard P.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.07.1985; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial - analysis; Bacterial Infections - diagnosis; Bacterial Infections - drug therapy; Bacterial Infections - microbiology; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Erythromycin - therapeutic use; Female; Glomerulonephritis - therapy; Humans; Immunosuppression - adverse effects; Kidney Transplantation; Legionella - immunology; Legionella - isolation & purification; Lung Abscess - diagnostic imaging; Lung Abscess - drug therapy; Lung Abscess - etiology; Lung Abscess - microbiology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Radiography; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the urinary system; Human; Urinary system disease; Legionellaceae; Respiratory disease; Surgery; Lung; Abscess; Bacteria; Complication; Legionella pneumophila; Homotransplantation; Kidney
• ISSN: 0163-4453; 1532-2742
• DOI: 10.1016/S0163-4453(85)91010-2

Although Legionella infections have been widely reported, the clinical importance of Legionella lung abscess has not been sufficiently emphasised. A renal transplant recipient with a pulmonary abscess due to Legionella pneumophila is presented and 21 other cases from the literature are reviewed. Seven abscesses arose in renal transplant patients. Even though an abscess may develop during treatment, superimposed infection with other micro-organisms appears to be uncommon, and an abscess may be expected to resolve with prolonged appropriate antimicrobial therapy alone. Recognition of lung abscess as a complication of legionella infection will therefore prevent unnecessary operations.