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[Severe Legionella pneumopathy in an immunologically normal infant]
Pediatrie
|September 1, 1983
Summary
Legionnaires' disease in a 9-month-old boy was diagnosed using Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 detection in lung tissue and pleural fluid. The infant recovered with Doxycycline treatment, despite a co-infection with adenovirus type 2.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Respiratory infections
- Microbiology
Background:
- Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia typically affecting adults.
- Pediatric cases are rare, making diagnosis and management challenging.
- Rapidly progressive pneumonia in infants warrants broad diagnostic evaluation.
Observation:
- A 9-month-old boy presented with rapidly extensive bilateral pneumonia without prior health issues.
- Diagnostic investigations revealed Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in pulmonary biopsy and pleural fluid.
- Adenovirus type 2 was also identified in the pulmonary biopsy, with significant seroconversion.
Findings:
- Direct immunofluorescence assay and culture confirmed Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1.
- No seroconversion for Legionella pneumophila was observed.
- Co-infection with adenovirus type 2 was confirmed by strong seroconversion.
Implications:
- This case highlights the possibility of Legionnaires' disease in young children with severe pneumonia.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy, such as Doxycycline, are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- The co-infection with adenovirus suggests complex etiologies in pediatric respiratory illness.