Abstract
Discrete nodules developed on the leg of a 27-year-old immunosuppressed woman after an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Biopsy and culture grew Legionella pneumophila serogroup 8. On day 7 of azithromycin treatment, respiratory distress and abnormal liver transaminases developed, and the patient died on day 14. Review of the medical literature identified 19 reports of Legionella species-associated skin or soft tissue infections (total of 20 patients, 13 with confirmed infection). Manifestations of the 13 confirmed cases included erythematous macular rash (n = 7), erythema after thoracentesis (n = 1), abscess formation (n = 4), respiratory symptoms (n = 6), and abnormal chest radiographs (n = 8). Six required surgical exploration and débridement, and 7 were immunocompromised. Rash and respiratory infection improved with antibiotics in 10, but 3 died. Immunosuppression may predispose transplant recipients to Legionella infections. Diagnostic biopsies may facilitate appropriate treatment.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 307-314 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Transplant Infectious Disease |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2014 |
Keywords
- Cutaneous infection
- Legionella
- Legionella pneumophila
- Legionellosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Infectious Diseases
- Transplantation