[Legionella myopericarditis]

Abstract

Cardiac involvement in legionella infection is rare but it is the most common extra-pulmonary complication. It usually takes the form of pericarditis, but a case of legionella myoparicarditis with global left ventricular hypokinesia on echocardiography has been described. The authors report a case of myopericarditis with massive pulmonary oedema and respiratory distress which regressed clinically and on echocardiography with reduction in chamber dilatation and complete recovery of left ventricular function. Legionellosis was confirmed on serology. The infection was probably contracted during a previous hospital admission, therefore, probably a nosocomial infection. Following the description of this case, a review of the literature is proposed.