[Early manifestation of septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation complicated by acute myocardial infarction in a patient suspected of having Legionnaires' disease]

Abstract

Legionellosis is an important cause of severe pneumonia in the community. Inadequate therapy will lead to respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and finally fatal multiple organ failure. We encountered a rare case in which early manifestation included septic shock and DIC complicated by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) suspected to be derived from Legionnaires' disease. A 54-year-old healthy female complained of lumbago, high fever and dry cough 10 days after visiting a hot spring spa. She was emmergently admitted due to shock. Physical examination demonstrated hypotension, high fever, course creakle in the right lower lung. Hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and eruption were not found. WBC count was 34600/microliters with nuclear shift. CRP elevated. FDP, D dimer and TAT also elevated CPK elevated with dominance of the MB isozyme. Chest roentogenography revealed congestive heart failure, pleural effusion and obscure pneumonic shadow and EKG showed ST segment elevation in leads I, II, III, aVF, V4, V5, and V6. The patient was diagnosed as having septic shock, DIC and AMI. She was treated with gabexate mesilate, high dose methyl prednisolone and dopamine hydrochloride as well as piperacillin, meropenem, isepamycin and fluconzaole. Despite intensive care, the blood pressure fell again and pneumonia had progressed on the 8th hospital day. These antibiotics appeared to be ineffective. Erythromycin was then administered and a dramatic effect. was obtained as the patient recovered. Serum titer of Legionella pneumophila (serogroup 1) rose to 128-fold 2 weeks after the onset. Other serum titers such as Chlamydia psittaci, Rickettsia, Mycoplasma were all negative. Cultures obtained from the sputum, throat swab, urine and blood did not yield any microorganisms. Although the diagnosis could not be confirmed because the titer did not elevate over 256-fold of 4-fold within 2 weeks after the onset, Legionella infection was highly suspected from the clinical features. This is a rare case in which septic shock and DIC with AMI preceded pulmonary symptoms in a non-immunocompromised patient.