How is Legionella pneumophila treated?
Medication Summary Mild Legionnaires disease can be treated with a single oral antibiotic regimen that have activity against legionella pneumophila including fluroquinolones such as levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin, macrolides like azithromycin, clarithromycin.
What is Legionella pneumophila sg1?
Legionella pneumophila is a common cause of hospital- and community-acquired pneumonia. About 90% cases of legionellosis are due to this species, and the predominant serogroup (sg) 1 of L. pneumophila accounts for 84% of cases (15).
Why do you get Legionella in urine?
Positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen in urine, suggesting current or past infection. Culture is recommended to confirm infection. Legionella culture is recommended for cases of suspected Legionella pneumonia due to organisms other than L pneumophila serogroup 1.
Is Legionella in urine contagious?
Legionella is usually not transmitted from person to person; however, a single episode of person-to- person transmission has been reported. Fortunately, most people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill.
How long is Legionella antigen positive?
The test can remain positive for a few weeks after infection, even with antibiotic treatment. The UAT detects the most common cause of Legionnaires’ disease, L. pneumophila serogroup 1.
How is L. pneumophila transmitted?
The bacterium L. pneumophila was first identified in 1977, as the cause of an outbreak of severe pneumonia in a convention centre in the USA in 1976. The most common form of transmission of Legionella is inhalation of contaminated aerosols produced in conjunction with water sprays, jets or mists.
How many subtypes of Legionella pneumophila are there?
To date, more than 58 Legionella species have been described in published articles. Of these approximately 25 are linked to disease, namely Legionella pneumophila species serogroup 1, 3, 4, and 6. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 is the most virulent strain causing most infections.
How many serogroups does Legionella pneumophila have?
Legionella pneumophila is the species responsible for ≈90% of human cases of infection. L. pneumophila is divided into 15 serogroups, among which serogroup 1 is the most prevalent disease-causing variant (1). In contrast, rare cases are caused by other serogroups.
What is Legionella antigen positive?
If a Legionella pneumophila urine antigen test is positive, then it is likely that a person has a Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 infection. If the person has symptoms consistent with pneumonia, then it is likely that the person has Legionnaires disease.
How do you collect urine from a Legionella antigen?
Urine sterile technique , puncture the port with a needle attached to a syringe. Aspirate the urine and place it in a sterile container. Do not collect urine from the collection bag. As antigen is detected and identified the information is made available to the health care provider.
How do you get a Legionella antigen?
Can Legionnaires disease be cured?
Pontiac fever usually clears on its own, but untreated Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal. Although prompt treatment with antibiotics usually cures Legionnaires’ disease, some people continue to have problems after treatment.