Legionnaires' Disease: Clinicoradiological Comparison of Sporadic Versus Outbreak Cases. Issue 11 (5th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hashmi, Hafiz Rizwan Talib; Saladi, Lakshmi; Petersen, Frances; Khaja, Misbahuddin; Diaz-Fuentes, Gilda
• Is Part Of: Clinical medicine insights. Issue 11(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-06-05
• Subjects: Legionnaires' disease -- Legionella -- atypical pneumonia -- epidemic -- outbreak; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Blood Circulation; Respiration; Lung Diseases; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.1005
• DOI: 10.1177/1179548417711941
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1179-5484

Abstract

Background: In 2015, New York City experienced the worst outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the history of the city. We compare patients seen during the 2015 outbreak with sporadic cases of Legionella during the past 5 years. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 90 patients with Legionnaires' disease, including sporadic cases of Legionella infection admitted from 2010 to 2015 (n = 55) and cases admitted during the 2015 outbreak (n = 35). Results: We saw no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding demographics, smoking habits, alcohol intake, underlying medical disease, or residence type. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that patients with sporadic case of Legionella had a longer stay in the hospital and intensive care unit as well as an increased stay in mechanical ventilation. Short-term mortality, discharge disposition, and most clinical parameters did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Conclusions: We found no specific clinicoradiological characteristics that could differentiate sporadic from epidemic cases of Legionella . Early recognition and high suspicion for Legionnaires' disease are critical to provide appropriate treatment. Cluster of cases should increase suspicion for an outbreak.