The protean manifestations of Legionnaires' disease.

The protean manifestations of Legionnaires' disease are described in an analysis of 12 sporadic cases. Two forms of the disease have been delineated. One variant (Group A) consisted of six patients who had a mild form of non-progressive pneumonia with minimum extra-pulmonary involvement. Six patients (Group B) were differentiated by rapidly progressive pulmonary infiltrates, severe hypoxia and respiratory failure, plus a higher frequency of band neutrophils and extra-pulmonary manifestations. Particularly notable were evidence of severe myositis (elevated creatinine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase), anaemia, and neurological findings which included alterations in the sensorium, meningitis, and convulsions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormalities were seen frequently in patients with neurological manifestations, and necropsy findings in one patient suggested that the Legionnaires' bacillus was capable of producing a fatal leucoencephalitis. Renal findings included haematuria, proteinuria and oliguric renal failure. Hepatic transaminases (SGPT, SGOT) were elevated in six patients and serum bilirubin was abnormal in five. Alkaline phosphatase values were normal to minimally elevated. The gastrointestinal symptoms commonly considered to be a frequent initial manifestation of Legionnaires' disease were rare in this series. Recommendations for instituting empirical therapy, based upon recognition of a clinical syndrome which should suggest the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease, are included.

Metronidazole treatment of Bacteroides fragilis infections.

Seven patients with Bacteroides fragilis infections were treated with intravenous and/or oral metronidazole. Infections treated included endocarditis, osteomyelitis, lung abscess, empyema, peritonitis, septicemia, and pelvic infection. Some patients had failed to respond to therapy with chloramphenicol or clindamycin or both. Metronidazole was used alone or in combination with aminoglycosides. Serum levels of metronidazole several times in excess of the minimal inhibitory concentrations for the organisms were easily achieved and in one patient the CSF metronidazole level was equal to that of the serum. Response to therapy with metronidazole was considered to be excellent. The only serious side effect noted was hypotension, which occurred in the last patient. Therapy was discontinued, and therefore therapeutic results could not be evaluated. Metronidazole appears to be a safe and effective agent in the treatment of B fragilis infections.

Bacteroides fragilis perinephric abscess.

Although urinary tract infection caused by Bacteroides fragilis has been recognized since the turn of the century it is not frequently recognized in clinical practice. Only a small number of significant upper urinary tract infections in which Bacteroides fragilis has had a significant pathogenic role have been reported previously. The use of systemic metronidazole in the treatment of this rare and unusually refractory form of urinary tract infection is described.