[Severe pneumopathy due to Legionella pneumophila: report on two cases]

Two patients with severe forms of legionnaires' disease presented similar manifestations of a confusional syndrome, a major infectious syndrome resistant to cyclines, beta-lactams, and aminoglycosides, altered hepatic and renal functions, and a fulminating course with the need for assisted ventilation in one case. Indirect immunofluorescence serology gave very positive results in both patients and changes in serum levels were reported 6 and 8 months after the onset of the disease. A serotype I strain of Legionella pneumophila was isolated by direct immunofluorescence from bronchial aspiration products in the second case. These cases are discussed in relation to reports in the published literature.