Legionella pneumonia presenting with bilateral flank pain, hyponatraemia and acute renal failure

Abstract

Legionnaires' disease (LD) is an often overlooked but a possible cause of sporadic community acquired pneumonia. High fever, cough and gastrointestinal symptoms are non-specific symptoms. Hyponatremia is more common in LD than pneumonia linked with other causes. A definitive diagnosis is usually confirmed by culture, urinary antigen testing for Legionella species. Macolide or quinolone antibiotic is the treatment of choice. We describe a case of Legionella pneumonia presenting with high fever, bilateral flank pain and oliguria. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this diagnosis when managing patients with flank pain. The case highlights the problems in differentiating LD from renal colic and the importance of proper history, physical examination with laboratory tests for appropriate management.