Again measured Legionella in the district Düren

Experts hope that the new Legionella case will enable them to quickly identify the source of infection

09/25/2014

After a total of 42 patients with pneumonia had to be treated at Jülich clinics in the last week, in five out of nine cases examined, Legionella was identified as the cause of the disease. Since then, the authorities are pushing for the source of infection, especially since case numbers continue to rise. A new legionella case gives the experts hope to find the cause quickly. A special test is to provide the genetic fingerprint of the pathogen, which can then be compared with all drawn water samples in the Jülich area. Legionella occur in almost all waters, so finding the source is very difficult without accurate knowledge of the pathogen. The genetic fingerprint, on the other hand, allows a specific assignment.

Genetic fingerprint of the Legionella helps in the search for the source of infection
„The patient with the most recent illness fell ill according to current knowledge on 15 September. With an incubation period of two to a maximum of 20 days, the last known infection took place between the 26th of August and the 13th of September“, informed the circle Düren in a message. However, the person was brought to hospital on 21st September. The laboratory finding, which was on 23 September, was clear. Again, legionella were the cause of pneumonia.

The new case could help the experts to find the source of infection. „We have the chance to catch the culprit directly“, explained Dr. Norbert Schnitzler, head of the health department in the district of Düren, compared to the online edition of the „Aachen newspaper“. „If the detection of Legionella was only indirectly possible through the presence of antibodies in the blood of partially recovered patients, there is now a chance to create a genetic fingerprint of the actual pathogen“, it continues in the message of the circle. The samples were sent to the National Reference Center for Legionella in Dresden. „If the fingerprint is available, all water samples taken in the meantime from the Jülich area can be compared with these reference samples shortly. This can be used to determine exactly whether or not the legionella in a water sample is a trigger for pneumonia.“

Legionnaires are not always the cause of pneumonia
In the meantime, more than 60 patients have been investigated for suspected cases of Legionella. „In these patients, a clear indication of a Legionella infection using the detected antibodies was found in 20 cases. Legionella DNA has been detected directly in bronchial secretions in another three patients“, informs the circle. Seven patients were diagnosed with another cause of pneumonia. In 13 cases, on the other hand, there is no indication of the underlying pathogen. „The results of the pending investigations are largely expected by the weekend.“ (Ag)