A retrospective observational cohort study of oral azithromycin treatment for Legionnaires' disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Legionnaires' disease (LD) is typically treated with macrolides, including the azalide azithromycin, or quinolones. In 2013, guidelines for empirical treatment of community-acquired pneumonia at Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand were changed to prioritize oral azithromycin over IV clarithromycin.

Objectives

To determine whether the change in antimicrobial guidelines led to altered outcomes for patients subsequently confirmed to have LD.

Methods

Patients with confirmed LD between 2010 and 2020 were identified from clinical and laboratory data. Hospital records were used to identify mortality, ICU admission, length of hospital stay, time to clinical stability, and time to first anti-Legionella treatment. Mean differences, risk ratios (RRs) and an interrupted

SUBMITTER: Pairman L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12046395 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature