Legionnaire's disease with limbic encephalitis.
Kazuyuki Saito, Kazumasa Ozawa, Maya Higuma et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 52-year-old man presented with limbic encephalitis and pneumonia caused by Legionella. The urinary antigen test confirmed Legionella infection, while cerebrospinal fluid cultures and sputum tests were negative for the bacteria. Despite resolution of pneumonia and brain imaging abnormalities, the patient experienced persistent short-term memory impairment, highlighting the neurological impact of Legionnaires' disease.
What made this case unusual
This case uniquely combines Legionnaires' disease with limbic encephalitis, a rare association that is not commonly reported.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should be aware that Legionnaires' disease can present with neurological symptoms, including encephalitis, even in the absence of detectable bacteria in cerebrospinal fluid.
Why it matters
Understanding the potential neurological complications of Legionnaires' disease is crucial for timely diagnosis and management, especially in patients presenting with unexplained encephalitis.