Disease of legionaries

Disease of legionaries – one of clinical forms of an infectious disease legionellosis which is characterized by an acute current which is caused by different types of microorganisms from the sort Legionella.

The disease of legionaries (differently – pontiaksky fever, the Pittsburgh pneumonia, fort fever Bragg or a legionella-infection), as a rule, proceeds with:

• General intoxication;
• The expressed fever;
• Syndrome of multiorgan insufficiency;
• Damage of the central nervous system, lungs, digestive organs.

Prevalence of a disease of legionaries

The main habital of disease-producing factors (легионелл) in the nature is the soil and water. Along with natural sources there are also artificial water systems in which water of temperature, optimum for reproduction of bacteria, circulates. Legionella develops in liquids of conditioners, cooling systems, in warm waters which dump power plants.

Despite weight of this disease, the disease-producing factor of legionaries does not constitute epidemic danger, and the infected equipment usually is exposed to cleansing.

Legionellosis – the infectious disease, however its prevalence define not so much climatic conditions, how many an anthropogenic factor. The general incidence of a disease of legionaries around the world not high, but sporadic flashes in the different countries are annually noted.

At the same time it is noted that the travelers who are often changing the location are subject to a disease more often. It is connected with continuous change of resistance of an organism and more frequent contact with infection sources.

Disease

The disease-producing factor of legionaries gets into an organism through a mucous membrane of a respiratory path at inhalation of water aerosols among which can be:

• Shower and bathtub;
• Fountains;
• Ultrasonic sprayers of water;
• Air conditioners;
• Humidifiers of systems of artificial ventilation of the lungs.

At the same time the fact of transmission of infection from the person to the person is not recorded.

In most cases diseases of legionellosis are connected with damage of lungs. Pathological changes usually affect not less than one lung lobe, extending to terminal bronchioles and alveoluses.

The disease characterizes the expressed hypostasis of intersticial fabric, and its current reminds drain pneumonia.

Risk factors of a course of a disease of legionaries at a heavy current of community-acquired pneumonia are:

• Existence of associated diseases, namely diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and diseases which are followed by a course of system hormonal or intensive immunosuppressor care;
• Warm season;
• Male;
• Smoking;
• The age is more senior than 40 years;
• Alcohol abuse;
• Travel within the country or abroad in 2-10 days prior to the beginning of a disease (incubation interval term).

Symptoms of a disease of legionaries

The short prodromal stage of a disease is characterized by anorexia, increased fatigue and a moderate headache. In certain cases passing diarrhea can be one more symptom of a disease of legionaries.

Then there comes the sharp aggravation of symptoms with prompt fervescence (to 40 °C) which is followed by strengthening of a headache, a fever, muscle and joints pains, the accruing adynamia.

Usually in the first day of a disease cough dry, and mucous it is also purulent - the mucous component of a phlegm appears a bit later. The pneumorrhagia is noted extremely seldom. At this stage the intensive pricking stethalgias amplifying usually at deep breath and at cough can accompany a disease. Also the increasing acute respiratory insufficiency which demands respiratory support can develop.

The disease of legionaries in addition to lungs often affects also other systems and bodies among which it is noted:

• Increase in the sizes of a liver;
• Gastrointestinal tract diseases, including vomiting, nausea, abdominal pains, diarrhea;
• Acute renal failure;
• Disorientation in the place and time, consciousness disturbance, a dysarthtia;
• Cerebellar disturbances;
• Spasms.

The feverish period at a disease of legionaries, as a rule, proceeds not less than two weeks then at favorable treatment the gradual return to health with quite long preservation of the phenomena of an adynamy begins. At heavy disease the lethal outcome because of the increasing respiratory or multiorgan insufficiency is possible.