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Hypersensitivity pneumonitis and Legionnaires' disease
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|May 1, 1980
Summary
This study investigated a potential link between Legionnaire's disease (LD) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in air-conditioning systems. Researchers found no evidence of Legionella pneumophila antibodies in confirmed HP cases, suggesting no association between the two diseases.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Outbreaks of Legionnaire's disease (LD) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) have been linked to contaminated water in cooling tower systems.
- A potential association between Legionella pneumophila (LP) and HP in these environments warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if antibodies to Legionella pneumophila (LP) are present in individuals diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP).
- To explore a possible etiological relationship between LP and HP in the context of contaminated air-conditioning and cooling tower systems.
Main Methods:
- Examined serums from 209 individuals with suspected or confirmed HP.
- Utilized the microagglutination method to detect antibodies to Legionella pneumophila (LP).
Main Results:
- Only 3 positive serum tests were observed, all from individuals with symptoms suggestive of HP but lacking definitive confirmation.
- All serum tests from confirmed HP cases were negative for LP antibodies.
Conclusions:
- The study found no probable association between the causative agents of LD and HP.
- The findings suggest that Legionella pneumophila is unlikely to be a significant factor in hypersensitivity pneumonitis cases linked to cooling tower systems.