Legionella Flashcards
1
Q
what is the causative bacteria in legionnaire’s disease?
A
legionella pneumophilia
2
Q
how do patients contract legionnaire’s disease?
A
typically colonizes water tanks and hence questions may hint at air-conditioning systems or foreign holidays
3
Q
what are the features of legionnaire’s disease?
A
- flu-like symptoms
- dry cough
- relative bradycardia
- confusion
- lymphopaenia
- hyponatraemia
- deranged LFTs
- pleural effusion (30%)
4
Q
how is legionnaire’s disease diagnosed?
A
urinary antigen
5
Q
what is the antibiotic of choice in legionnaire’s disease?
A
erythromycin/clarithromycin
