Non ‐pneumophila Legionella species pneumonia with orange‐coloured sputum

We report a case of the orange-coloured sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the detailed medical interview about recent gardening activity and exposure to compost or potting mix, which might be signs for rapid diagnosis of non-pneumophilaLegionella species pneumonia with a negative urinary antigen test. AbstractWe herein report an immunocompromised patient familiar with gardening admitted to our hospital suffering from severe pneumonia caused byLegionella longbeachae. We suspected non-pneumophilaLegionella species pneumonia because of gardening habits, the negative urine antigen test and the non-significant Gram staining results of orange-coloured sputum. The pathogen was identified using mass spectrometry analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. It is important to perform the medical interview carefully, noting the colour of sputum and gardening habits, for diagnosis and targeted therapy of non-pneumophilaLegionella species pneumonia, even if the urineLegionella antigen test is negative.

Source: Respirology Case Reports - July 29, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Maki Asami ‐Noyama, Misa Harada, Kaori Murakawa, Junki Suizu, Keita Murakawa, Ayumi Chikumoto, Kazuki Hamada, Yoriyuki Murata, Keiji Oishi, Yoshikazu Yamaji, Nobutaka Edakuni, Tsunahiko Hirano, Tomoyuki Kakugawa, Kazuto Matsunaga Tags: CASE REPORT Source Type: research