LEGIONELLA-PNEUMOPHILA INFECTION IN TAIWAN - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Legionella pneumophila infection has been recognized as an important c ause of pneumonia. However, epidemiologic baseline data about the occu rrence of legionella-related pneumonia and the distribution of legione llae in aquatic environments are still not available in Taiwan. A surv ey conducted by the National Institute of Preventive Medicine found th at 8.6% of 487 pneumonia patients studied were positive for the L. pne umophila serologic test (indirect fluorescent test, IFA) and 32.0% of the 25 water samples were positive for isolation of legionellae. In co nclusion, this survey supported the existence of Legionnaires' disease in Taiwan, indicated a preliminary prevalence of L. pneumophila antib odies among pneumonia patients and identified the prevalence of legion ellae in water environments.