[Clinical data on Legionnaires' disease. Report on 8 sporadic cases of XXXX ].

@entity1 @entity1353 @entity55 @entity3403 @entity2929 @entity344 @entity158 @entity10 @entity2115
In 1978 and 1979, eight sporadic cases of @entity55 were observed in the Berne and Ticino areas of Switzerland. In all cases the diagnosis was established serologically using indirect immunofluorescence. Seroconversion was observed in five @entity1 . In three cases initially high antibody titers decreased progressively. The clinical picture was characterized by acute onset with high fever, frequent chills, and dry cough. Occasional concomitant symptoms included @entity158 , @entity10 , @entity158 , @entity1353 , hemoptysis, and @entity344 . Laboratory findings showed markedly increased BSR as well as slightly increased WBC with a pronounced shift to the left. In all cases, X-ray examinations demonstrated extended, mainly unilateral and often remarkedly peripheral infiltrations of the lung. On the basis of the clinical course, two groups could be distinguished: (a) non-complicated cases of @entity55 with rapid improvement within 2-3 weeks; and (b) cases with a protracted sometimes severe course with persistence of the infiltrations up to 4 months and more. All @entity1 with a protracted course suffered from concomitant symptoms. Whereas none of the @entity1 died of @entity2115 , two @entity1 died six months later from their underlying disease. Most @entity1 were treated with several antibiotics. In three @entity1 definite improvement occurred only after therapy had been changed to @entity3403 . @entity2929 , currently recommended as the drug of choice, was used in none of these cases.
