Adult respiratory distress disorder due to legionnaires disease in pregnancy: A case report

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2-1-2016

Journal

Journal of Reproductive Medicine

Volume

61

Issue

1

Keywords

Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Adult respiratory distress syndrome; ARDS; Hu-man; Legionella; Legionella pneumophila infections; Legionnaire disease; Legionnaires’ disease; Pneumonia; Pregnancy complications; Primary atypical

Abstract

© Journal of Reproductive Medicine®, Inc. BACKGROUND: Pneumonia caused by the atypical pathogen Legionella pneumophila during pregnancy is a rare occurrence that carries substantial maternal and fetal risk. CASE: A 36-year-old woman, G3P2002, presented at 332/7 weeks’ gestation with 6 days of worsening cough, fever, and shortness of breath. She was admitted to the intensive care unit and suffered acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Aggressive diagnostic efforts showed seropositivity for Legionella IgM. The patient recovered following antibiotic therapy and cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Successful treatment of Legionnaires disease requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and prompt empirical treatment when severe community-acquired pneumonia is encountered. In severe cases that are refractory to antimicrobial treatment, cesarean delivery may help resolve compromised maternal respiratory status.

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