Outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in immunosuppressed patients at a cancer centre: Usefulness of universal urine antigen testing and early levofloxacin therapy

Abstract

This report describes an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in severely immunosuppressed patients hospitalised at a cancer centre. Universal urine antigen testing and early levofloxacin therapy appeared to lower case fatality rates in comparison with previous reports concerning this high-risk population. This diagnostic and therapeutic strategy should be considered when facing a nosocomial outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in immunosuppressed hosts. © 2007 The Authors Journal Compilation © 2007 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.