Legionnaires' Disease in South Africa, 2012-2014

Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 Jan;22(1):131-3. doi: 10.3201/eid2201.150972.

Abstract

During June 2012-September 2014, we tested patients with severe respiratory illness for Legionella spp. infection and conducted a retrospective epidemiologic investigation. Of 1,805 patients tested, Legionella was detected in samples of 21 (1.2%); most were adults who had HIV or tuberculosis infections and were inappropriately treated for Legionella.

Keywords: Legionella spp.; Legionellosis; Legionnaires’ disease; South Africa; bacteria; legionella; pneumonia; respiratory infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Legionella / pathogenicity
  • Legionella pneumophila / pathogenicity
  • Legionellosis / epidemiology
  • Legionellosis / microbiology
  • Legionnaires' Disease / epidemiology*
  • Legionnaires' Disease / microbiology
  • Male
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • South Africa / epidemiology