[Could Legionella pneumophila infection cause bronchial hyperreactivity]

Abstract

11 children with bronchial hyperreactivity were tested for Legionella pneumophila serotype 1 and 2-14, including 3 girls, who were treated a year before because of atypical pneumonia, probably caused by Legionella pneumophila, 2 brothers of the girls and 6 children from a different village as well as 5 adults--parents of the girls. In all of them a significant level of antibodies against Legionella pneumophila serotype 2-14 was detected with indirect immunofluorescence. One of previously treated girls presented with increased level of IgG antibodies (ELISA), the remaining two had increased levels of IgA against Legionella pneumophila serotype 1. Other patients in the group presented no IgM, IgA or IgG against Legionella pneumophila serotype 1. Patients with bronchial hypersensitivity received clarithromycin and inhalation steroids with good clinical effect.