Legionella pneumophila pneumonia associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome successfully treated with imipenem.

Although utility of beta-lactams in the treatment of legionnaire's disease could not be demonstrated, clinical cures of human legionellosis with imipenem have been reported. We report the case of a 45-year-old man who presented clinical and radiological features of 'typical' bacterial pneumonia. He was successfully treated with imipenem. Serologic studies showed seroconversion for Legionella pneumophila.