Doctors explained the danger of "legionnaires' disease"
"Legionnaires' disease" refers to severe forms of pneumonia and develops when inhaling an aqueous aerosol containing Legionella pneumophila bacteria, which actively multiply in warm water systems and utilities, but are not transmitted from person to person. All the details are in the Izvestia article.
Infection mechanism and sources
The disease is caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, which actively multiplies in warm water at temperatures from 20 to 50 degrees. Infectious disease specialist Evgenia Dayeva explained that infection occurs when inhaling a fine water aerosol that enters the respiratory tract from contaminated cooling systems, showers, jacuzzis or humidifiers. An important difference between an infection is that a sick person does not transmit it to others.
Engineering communications with stagnant areas and biofilm on pipes are especially dangerous. The peak incidence occurs in summer and early autumn, as water systems warm up faster in the heat, and the use of cooling towers and fountains becomes more intense. Split-system home air conditioners are not considered typical sources of Legionella, as they do not spray water, but fungi and dust can accumulate in their filters.
"Just flushing the strainers in a home air conditioner is useful, but it's not enough for complex engineering systems. Buildings with centralized air conditioning, humidification, cooling towers, swimming pools and SPA areas should have a full-fledged maintenance program," Dayeva noted.
Clinical picture and diagnosis
The disease occurs as severe atypical pneumonia with systemic manifestations. Pulmonologist Shallal Kamel pointed out that high fever, shortness of breath and headache may occur in the early stages. A characteristic feature of legionellosis is a combination of pulmonary symptoms with damage to other organs, which manifests itself in diarrhea, abdominal pain and confusion.
For accurate diagnosis, laboratory tests for antigen in urine and PCR diagnostics of materials from the lower respiratory tract are recommended. A regular X—ray allows you to see the inflammation, but does not reveal the causative agent, so it is extremely important for pulmonologists to know the patient's epidemiological history, for example, visits to hotels or medical centers with centralized climate control systems.
Risks of complications and treatment methods
The risk group includes smokers, people over 50 years of age and patients with chronic lung diseases, diabetes mellitus or reduced immunity. Treatment requires the use of specific antibiotics capable of attacking the bacterium inside cells, such as fluoroquinolones or macrolides. If therapy is delayed, the disease can lead to respiratory failure, sepsis, and multiple organ disorders.
"In severe patients, therapy should not be postponed until the final laboratory confirmation: if the clinical probability is high, Legionella antibacterial coating should be started in a timely manner. With a late diagnosis, legionellosis is dangerous not only by the volume of lung damage," Kamel emphasized.
The specialist added that recovery from a severe infection can be lengthy. Patients often retain shortness of breath and asthenic syndrome even after pneumonia is relieved, and systemic inflammation can cause temporary cognitive decline. If alarming symptoms occur after contact with water aerosols, seek immediate medical attention.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
