Legionellosis natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The fatality rate of Legionnaires' disease has ranged from 5 to 30% during various outbreaks. It should be noted that some people can be infected with the Legionella bacterium and have only mild symptoms or no illness at all.

Natural History

• In Legionnaires' disease the symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria. They tend to get worse during the first 4 - 6 days. They typically improve in another 4 - 5 days.

• The time between the patient’s exposure to the bacterium and the onset of illness for Pontiac Fever is shorter, generally a few hours to 2 days. The symptoms usually last for 2 to 5 days. Symptoms go away on their own without treatment and without causing further problems.

Complications

Complications that can develop as a result of Legionellosis:

• Empyema
• Emphysema
• Lung failure
• Renal failure
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Multiorgan failure

Prognosis

• Death occurs in 5% - 30% of Legionnaires' disease cases.
• A substantially higher proportion of fatal cases occur during nosocomial outbreaks.
• Pontiac fever is a self-limited disease that requires no treatment. Legionnaires' disease can be very serious and can cause death in up to 5% to 30% of cases. Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics [drugs that kill bacteria in the body], and healthy people usually recover from infection.

Sources

• CDC Legionellosis [2]

References

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