[Clinical features and delayed aftereffects of Legionellosis pneumonia during an epidemic outbreak].

The aim of this work was to study specific clinical features of legionellosis pneumonia during an epidemic outbreak of the disease in Sverdlovsk region and to assess its delayed effects. 202 patients applied for the treatment to the central hospital of the town of Verkhnyaya Pyshma in July-August 2007 Legionella pneumophila was identified in 61 adults aged 51.3-59.3 (mean 55.3) years. The following analyses were performed at admittance and discharge as well as 1 year after treatment: complete blood count, urinalysis, AST, ALT and sugar levels, breast X-ray and ECG. Patients with mild disease were given azithromycin per os (500 mg for 7days, n = 10) or levofloxacin (500 mg for 10 days, n = 5). Those with the severe form of the disease were treated with azithromycin (500 mg for 3 days, v/v, n = 17) or levofloxacin (750 mg for 2-3 days v/v and for 12 days per os, n = 29). The results were analysed using the STATA 5.0 software package (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA). Difference were considered significant at p < 0.05. It was shown that the outbreak resulted from the use of hot water from the public water supply system contaminated with L. pneumophila. The incubation period of infection was 4.48-6.01 (mean 5.3) days. Duration of hospitalization varied from 9.6-12.9 (mean 11.3) days. Most common clinical symptoms: general uneasiness, headache, non-productive cough, and fever lasting 3.8-6.6 (mean 5.2 days). Intrahospital lethality 6.6%. It is concluded that therapy with azithromycin and levofloxacin give good clinical effect leaving no systemic lesions in patients with legionellosis pneumonia.