[A case of Legionella pneumonia successfully treated intravenously with both erythromycin and ciprofloxacin].

A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of a high fever and watery diarrhea. The chest radiograph on admission revealed a homogeneous consolidation of the left upper lobe. Laboratory findings included proteinuria, oligouria, hematuria, myoglobinuria, hyponatremia, and serum CPK elevation. On the basis of these findings, a tentative diagnosis of Legionella pneumonia was made. He was treated with sulbactam/cefoperazon and erythromycin, but his high fever remained and the consolidation shadow deteriorated. He was therefore given both erythromycin and ciprofloxacin intravenously. After several days the fever had returned to normal, the appearance of the chest radiograph had improved, and his symptoms were quickly relieved. This case suggests that intravenous administration of ciprofloxacin and erythromycin can be an effective treatment against Legionella pneumonia.