Legionella: an infrequent cause of adult community acquired pneumonia in Dublin.

The commonest infectious agents identified in community acquired pneumonia (CAP) amongst 50 patients admitted to a Dublin hospital were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilis influenzae. Legionella pneumophila pneumonia occurred in only one patient who acquired infection abroad. A serological screen of blood bank donors and renal transplant recipients failed to detect antibody to Legionella pneumophila supporting the clinical findings of a low prevalence of infection in this community. It is concluded that initial antibiotic therapy for patients with CAP need not routinely include cover for Legionella.