A 65-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her daughter for fever and cough. She just returned from a cruise trip to the Bahamas with her family 5 days ago and reports that she has been feeling ill since then. She endorses fever, productive cough, and general malaise. Her daughter also mentions that the patient has been having some diarrhea but reports that the rest of her family has been experiencing similar symptoms. Physical examination was significant for localized crackles at the right lower lobe. Laboratory findings are as follows: Serum Na+: 130 mEq/L K+: 3.9 mEq/L Cl-: 98 mEq/L HCO3-: 27 mEq/L Mg2+: 1.8 mEq/L What findings would you expect in this patient?

High titers of cold agglutinins

Gram-negative rod on chocolate agar with factors V and X

Gram-positive diplococci on Gram stain

Broad-based budding on fungal sputum culture

Antigen presentation of extracellular pathogens by antigen presenting cells requires endocytosis of the antigen, followed by the degradation in the acidic environment of the formed phagolysosome. Should the phagolysosome become unable to lower its pH, what is the most likely consequence?

Deficient presentation of pathogens to CD4 T-cells

Deficient presentation of pathogens to CD8 T-cells

A 62-year-old man is brought to the emergency department with fatigue, dry cough, and shortness of breath for 3 days. He reports a slight fever and has also had 3 episodes of watery diarrhea earlier that morning. Last week, he attended a business meeting at a hotel and notes some of his coworkers have also become sick. He has a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. He takes atorvastatin, hydrochlorothiazide, and lisinopril. He appears in mild distress. His temperature is 102.1°F (38.9°C), pulse is 56/min, respirations are 16/min, and blood pressure is 150/85 mm Hg. Diffuse crackles are heard in the thorax. Examination shows a soft and nontender abdomen. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL Leukocyte count 15,000/mm3 Platelet count 130,000/mm3 Serum Na+ 129 mEq/L Cl- 100 mEq/L K+ 4.6 mEq/L HCO3- 22 mEq/L Urea nitrogen 14 mg/dL Creatinine 1.3 mg/dL An x-ray of the chest shows infiltrates in both lungs. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in diagnosis?

Direct immunofluorescent antibody test

A 54-year-old woman comes to the physician because of lower back pain, night sweats, and a 5-kg (11-lb) weight loss during the past 4 weeks. She has rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab. Her temperature is 38°C (100.4°F). Physical examination shows tenderness over the T10 and L1 spinous processes. Passive extension of the right hip causes pain in the right lower quadrant. The patient's symptoms are most likely caused by an organism with which of the following virulence factors?

Surface glycolipids that prevent phagolysosome fusion

Proteins that bind to the Fc region of immunoglobulin G

Protease that cleaves immunoglobulin A

Polysaccharide capsule that prevents phagocytosis

Polypeptides that inactivate elongation factor 2

Legionella pneumophila — USMLE Lesson

Microbiology - The Finicky Water Lover

Silver stain of Legionella pneumophila in lung tissue

Organism: Gram-negative rod, aerobic, motile. Stains poorly with Gram stain; requires silver stain.
Habitat: Aquatic environments (e.g., air conditioners, hot-water tanks, misters).
Culture: Fastidious; requires Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract (BCYE) agar, supplemented with L-cysteine and iron.
Transmission: Inhalation of contaminated aerosols. No person-to-person spread.
Diagnosis: Urine antigen test is rapid and common.

⭐ A classic triad for Legionnaires' disease is pneumonia, hyponatremia (low sodium), and neurologic symptoms (e.g., confusion).

📌 Mnemonic: A French Legionnaire with his silver helmet needs iron and cysteine to survive by the water.

Pathogenesis & Transmission - Trojan Horse Attack

Legionella pneumophila life cycle and infection pathway

Source: Transmitted via inhalation of aerosolized bacteria from contaminated water systems (e.g., air conditioners, plumbing, cooling towers).
- No person-to-person transmission.
Mechanism: Facultative intracellular parasite of amoebas (in nature) and alveolar macrophages (in humans).

⭐ Legionella uses a Type IV secretion system (Dot/Icm) to inject proteins that block phagolysosome fusion, effectively creating a protective intracellular niche for replication.

Clinical Syndromes - Two Tales from the Mist

Legionnaires' Disease
- Severe, atypical pneumonia with high fever (>39°C), often preceded by a prodrome of myalgia and headache.
- Key features are multisystem:
  - Pulmonary: Cough, often with scant, non-purulent sputum.
  - GI: Watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
  - CNS: Confusion, delirium, headache.
Pontiac Fever
- Acute, self-limiting, non-pneumonic febrile illness.
- Presents as an influenza-like syndrome with fever, myalgia, and malaise.
- Incubation period is much shorter than Legionnaires'.

⭐ Suspect Legionella in a pneumonia patient with hyponatremia (Na⁺ < 130 mEq/L), elevated liver transaminases, and hematuria.

Diagnosis & Treatment - Finding and Fighting the Foe

Lab Diagnosis
- Urine Antigen Test: Rapid, sensitive, and specific for serogroup 1.
- Culture: Gold standard; requires buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) agar.
- PCR: Increasingly used for rapid detection.
- Associated labs: Hyponatremia, ↑LFTs.
Treatment
- Macrolides (e.g., Azithromycin) or Fluoroquinolones (e.g., Levofloxacin).
- β-lactams are ineffective as Legionella is an intracellular pathogen.

⭐ Classic triad: Pneumonia + GI symptoms (diarrhea) + Neurologic symptoms (confusion). Hyponatremia is a huge clue!

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

Causes atypical pneumonia (Legionnaires' disease) and a milder, flu-like illness (Pontiac fever).

Transmission is via aerosolized water from contaminated sources (e.g., air conditioners, hot tubs); no person-to-person spread.

Look for a triad of pneumonia, hyponatremia, and diarrhea/neurologic symptoms.

Best initial diagnostic test is the urine antigen test.

Culture requires special buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) agar supplemented with L-cysteine and iron.

Treatment of choice is macrolides or fluoroquinolones.

Unlock the full lesson and continue reading

Signup to continue reading this lesson and unlimited access questions, flashcards, AI notes, and more

Scan to download app

UNLOCK FREE ACCESS