Complications of atypical pneumonia: A case of Legionella longbeachae empyema
Abstract Legionella longbeachae is the most common cause of Legionnaires' disease in Australasia. Legionella species are considered a rare cause of pleural infection, and empyema and lung abscess due to L. longbeachae has not previously been reported. Our patient presented with a 2–3 week histo...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Respirology Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.1281 |
| _version_ | 1797295283871154176 |
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| author | Amy Samson Michael J. Maze |
| author_facet | Amy Samson Michael J. Maze |
| author_sort | Amy Samson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Legionella longbeachae is the most common cause of Legionnaires' disease in Australasia. Legionella species are considered a rare cause of pleural infection, and empyema and lung abscess due to L. longbeachae has not previously been reported. Our patient presented with a 2–3 week history of breathlessness, lethargy, dry cough and headaches. Initial chest radiograph showed extensive left sided consolidation with an associated pleural effusion. An area of necrotising pneumonia evident on computed tomography scan evolved into a multiloculated intrapulmonary abscess. Sputum culture isolated L. longbeachae, which prompted culture of pleural fluid on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar and isolation of the organism. This case provides evidence that L. longbeachae can cause both empyema and lung abscess, and in areas where it is prevalent, increased use of Legionella specific agar for pleural fluid culture should be considered. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T21:44:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-81bff13f9e484fc7a0da42a8f352c5c6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2051-3380 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T21:44:33Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Respirology Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-81bff13f9e484fc7a0da42a8f352c5c62024-02-26T01:02:43ZengWileyRespirology Case Reports2051-33802024-02-01122n/an/a10.1002/rcr2.1281Complications of atypical pneumonia: A case of Legionella longbeachae empyemaAmy Samson0Michael J. Maze1Respiratory Department Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Christchurch New ZealandRespiratory Department Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Christchurch New ZealandAbstract Legionella longbeachae is the most common cause of Legionnaires' disease in Australasia. Legionella species are considered a rare cause of pleural infection, and empyema and lung abscess due to L. longbeachae has not previously been reported. Our patient presented with a 2–3 week history of breathlessness, lethargy, dry cough and headaches. Initial chest radiograph showed extensive left sided consolidation with an associated pleural effusion. An area of necrotising pneumonia evident on computed tomography scan evolved into a multiloculated intrapulmonary abscess. Sputum culture isolated L. longbeachae, which prompted culture of pleural fluid on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar and isolation of the organism. This case provides evidence that L. longbeachae can cause both empyema and lung abscess, and in areas where it is prevalent, increased use of Legionella specific agar for pleural fluid culture should be considered.https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.1281empyema Legionella longbeachaeLegionnaires' diseaselung abscesspleural effusion |
| spellingShingle | Amy Samson Michael J. Maze Complications of atypical pneumonia: A case of Legionella longbeachae empyema Respirology Case Reports empyema Legionella longbeachae Legionnaires' disease lung abscess pleural effusion |
| title | Complications of atypical pneumonia: A case of Legionella longbeachae empyema |
| title_full | Complications of atypical pneumonia: A case of Legionella longbeachae empyema |
| title_fullStr | Complications of atypical pneumonia: A case of Legionella longbeachae empyema |
| title_full_unstemmed | Complications of atypical pneumonia: A case of Legionella longbeachae empyema |
| title_short | Complications of atypical pneumonia: A case of Legionella longbeachae empyema |
| title_sort | complications of atypical pneumonia a case of legionella longbeachae empyema |
| topic | empyema Legionella longbeachae Legionnaires' disease lung abscess pleural effusion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.1281 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT amysamson complicationsofatypicalpneumoniaacaseoflegionellalongbeachaeempyema AT michaeljmaze complicationsofatypicalpneumoniaacaseoflegionellalongbeachaeempyema |