Resumen

RAZON BEHAR, Roberto; TAMARGO MARTINEZ, Isis; DE ARMAS MORALES, Ibis  y  CANTILLO GAMES, Haydee. Brote epidémico de neumonías por Legionella pneumophila en niños cubanos. Rev Cubana Pediatr [online]. 2002, vol.74, n.3, pp.203-207. ISSN 0034-7531.

The legionella pneumophila is one of the pathogens responsible for atypic pneumonias by the inhalation of aerosols or aspiration of infected liquids. An epidemic outbreak of pneumonias caused by Legionella was detected among a group of Cuban children. It was originated by the aspiration of contaminated water in a swimming pool. The causal agent was identified in 5 of 9 patients by using the indirect immunofluorescence technique in samples of matched sera. The most frequent symptoms and signs were malaise, anorexia, asthenia, persistent fever from 39°C to 40°C (103° F to 105° F), myalgias, headache, nauseas, vomits, abdominal pain, diarrheas, moist cough, thoracic pain and polypnoea. The antibiotic treatment was empiric (including the macrolides) during the development of the disease, since the diagnosis was not confirmed. The patients’ evolution was satisfactory. An epidemic outbreak of pneumonias due to Legionella was reported in children for the first time in Cuba, which is important from the clinical and epidemiological point of view.

Palabras clave : LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA; PNEUMONIA, ASPIRATION; CHILD.

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