AcuteLegionella pneumophilainfection masquerading as acute alcoholic hepatitis

Abstract

A middle-aged man had deteriorated rapidly in hospital after being misdiagnosed with acute alcoholic hepatitis. Acute Legionnaires disease (Legionellosis) was subsequently diagnosed on rapid antigen urinary testing and further confirmed serologically. This led to appropriate antibiotic treatment and complete clinical resolution. Physicians caring for patients with alcohol-related liver disease should considerLegionella pneumophilain their differential diagnosis even with a paucity of respiratory symptoms.