SEVERE PNEUMONIA IN A NEONATE ASOCIATED WITH LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA: A CASE REPORT
Main Article Content
Abstract
Legionella pneumophila pneumonia in newborns is a rare but potentially severe condition if not diagnosed and treated promptly. We report the case of a 7-day-old male infant, delivered by elective cesarean section at full term, who presented with a fever of 39°C upon follow-up examination and jaundice. Initial examination revealed atypical respiratory symptoms, SpO2 94%, slightly elevated white blood cell count and CRP; chest X-ray: heterogeneous opacities in the right apex of the lung; lung ultrasound showed scattered parenchymal lesions. The infant was treated with empirical antibiotics including beta-lactam and aminoglycoside. Subsequent nasopharyngeal swab PCR confirmed a positive result for L. pneumophila, leading to a change in treatment to azithromycin. During hospitalization, the infant required short-term nasal cannula oxygen support but did not require mechanical ventilation. After macrolide supplementation, the infant’s fever subsided within 24 hours, inflammatory markers gradually decreased, and respiratory status improved significantly. After 7 days of treatment, the child was completely stable and discharged without complications. This case highlights that early clinical guidance and molecular diagnosis are key factors in improving the prognosis of
L. pneumophila pneumonia in neonates.
Keywords
Legionella pneumophila, nasopharyngeal PCR, neonatal pneumonia
Article Details
References
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