[A survival case of severe Legionella longbeachae pneumonia].

A 56-year-old Japanese male was admitted to Toyohashi Municipal Hospital because of fever, cough, and dyspnea. Chest X-ray film showed bilateral alveolar infiltrates. He suffered from severe hypoxemia and was given a diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome. He was also complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation and pseudomembranous colitis. He fully recovered by intensive treatment with antibiotics, mechanical ventilation and endotoxin eliminating therapy. Legionella longbeachae was isolated from his respiratory specimens and was regarded as the etiologic agent of his pneumonia.