Les légionelloses : mise au point

Legionella pneumophila is the second pathogen responsible of pneumonia admitted in Intensive Care Unit. With improved diagnostic tools, there has been an increase in highlighted cases. One thousand five-hundred cases are reported annually in France. The clinical and radiological signs are non specific and do not allow us to individualize the symptomatology especially in relation to pneumococcal pneumonia. Therefore, it is justified and recommended to include Legionella sp. in the spectrum of any empirical antimicrobial chemotherapy for community acquired pneumonia admitted in Intensive Care Unit.