Legionnaire's disease associated with acute encephalitis and arrhythmia.

OBJECTIVE

To report an unusual, life-threatening combination of neurologic, cardiac, and gastrointestinal symptoms in the presence of a community-acquired pneumonia.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT: Previously healthy young male.

INTERVENTION: Diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy, lumber puncture, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, and institution of systemic antibiotics.

MAIN RESULT: Gradual clinical improvement of a multiple-system illness.

CONCLUSION

Legionellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with neurologic, cardiac, and gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly in the presence of radiographic pneumonia. Furthermore, Legionella meningoencephalitis may present with findings on magnetic resonance imaging previously thought to be characteristic of herpes encephalitis.