[Legionnaires' disease is not uncommon in Croatia]

Legionella pneumophila has been relatively frequent pathogen of pneumonias worldwide. It causes 2-15% of pneumonias requiring hospitalization. It appears sporadically and in outbreaks, and frequently as hospital-acquired infection. The main aim of this study is to show the permanent presence of Legionnaires' disease in our country. In the 9-year period (1986-94), 42 patients were treated in the University Hospital of Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljevic" in Zagreb. The disease was diagnosed every year, and only one patient came from an outbreak, while all other cases of pneumonia were sporadic ones of pneumonia from the community. There were 40 males and only two women. Most of the patients (14) were in aged 30-39 yrs. There were six times more patients during summer and fall than in winter and spring time (36:6), and the highest number was in July (10). In 17 (40.5%) patients exposure to some potential sources of infection was recorded. Provocative factors i.e. underlying chronic diseases have been reported in 13 patients. There were 33 (78.6%) smokers, and 15 patients consumed greater quantities of alcoholic drinks. Legionnaires' disease affects also previously healthy persons as well as those without recognized provocative factors.