Blerta Kika Brati1, Adela Vasili1, Anila Moçi1,2, Oltiana Petri1, Silva Bino1,3, Albana Fico1,3
1Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania;
2Rajonal Directory of Public Health, Fier, Albania;
3 Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
Aim: Legionellosis as a disease is a form of severe pneumonia with mortality rate from 10 to 15%. Legionella pneumophila is responsible for almost all reported cases. Aware that this evidence indicates a risk factor and the lack of routine assays designed to detect Legionella species we have done this study to evaluate the situation of this infection in suspected patients.
Methods: We have collected 30 urine samples from patients that presenting clinical manifestations. For all patients enrolled in this study we have used a standard questionnaire about risk factors for this infection. The test used for diagnosis of samples is Legionella Urinary Antigen Card, from BinaxNOW, with sensitivity and specificity for L.pneumophila serogrup 1.
Results: Over all 30 samples tested in our laboratory by this conventional method only one case (3.3%) was detected for L. pneumophila serogroup 1. Positive patient was male 47 years old, with profession taxi driver and living in Fier city. This method is strongly recommendation by ECDC and is applicable in all human diagnostic legionella laboratories.
Conclusion: Legionellosis has a high impact in public health service because this disease accounts 0.5 to 10.0% of hospitalizations for community-acquired pneumonia and the mortality rate is high also (10%). It occurs in isolated or epidemic forms and can affect and kill many people if it happens. Strengthening the laboratory capacity for diagnosis of human and environmental samples is of absolute importance. Nowadays this disease should be a priority in public health service.
Keywords: Legionella, public health, suspected patients, urine test.