{"id":1369,"date":"2026-03-15T03:31:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T03:31:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/perfusfind.com\/ic\/?p=1369"},"modified":"2026-03-15T03:31:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T03:31:38","slug":"demographics-and-outcome-of-legionella-pneumonia-in-the-intensive-care-unit-a-retrospective-multicenter-cohort-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/perfusfind.com\/ic\/index.php\/2026\/03\/15\/demographics-and-outcome-of-legionella-pneumonia-in-the-intensive-care-unit-a-retrospective-multicenter-cohort-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Demographics and outcome of Legionella pneumonia in the intensive care unit: a retrospective multicenter cohort study"},"content":{"rendered":"

Legionella Pneumonia in the ICU: Does ECMO Improve Outcomes?<\/p>\n

Abstract:<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This multicenter, retrospective cohort study (Zurich, Hannover, Bonn; 2013\u20132023) evaluated 110 ICU patients<\/strong> with Legionella pneumonia (LP)<\/strong>. Severe LP frequently progressed to ARDS and multiorgan failure<\/strong>; 40% required ECMO. Despite greater severity (SOFA 12 vs 9), ECMO patients had similar 28-day mortality<\/strong> (25% vs 21%) compared to non-ECMO. Importantly, LP-associated ARDS on ECMO showed lower mortality<\/strong> than typically reported in general ARDS cohorts.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Key Insights:<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n
  1. Cohort profile:<\/strong> Median age 60; 75% male; 89% required invasive ventilation; 40% received ECMO (mostly VV).<\/li>\n
  2. ECMO outcomes:<\/strong> Despite higher illness severity, ECMO patients achieved mortality rates comparable<\/strong> to non-ECMO, suggesting a potential survival benefit<\/strong> in LP-ARDS.<\/li>\n
  3. Antibiotic adequacy:<\/strong> Only 57% had Legionella-specific coverage at ICU admission<\/strong>. Delayed therapy correlated with fewer ventilator-free days<\/strong> and longer ICU stays<\/strong>, though not higher mortality.<\/li>\n
  4. Risk factors for death:<\/strong> Independent predictors were hospital-acquired LP<\/strong> (OR 28.4) and elevated lactate<\/strong> (OR 1.31 per mmol\/L).<\/li>\n
  5. AKI & sepsis burden:<\/strong> AKI occurred in 78% overall, 89% with ECMO; septic shock in 66% of ECMO patients.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Why This Matters:<\/strong> For ICU teams, these findings support ECMO as a rescue option<\/strong> in severe LP-ARDS. LP patients may represent a subgroup with better ECMO survival<\/strong> than broader ARDS populations.<\/p>\n

    Conclusion:<\/strong> LP with ARDS carries high morbidity, but ECMO may equalize survival despite greater severity<\/strong>. Prompt Legionella-directed antibiotics<\/strong> remain essential, while hospital-acquired LP<\/strong> signals poor prognosis.<\/p>\n

    Take-Home for :<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n