[Neurologic symptoms in Legionella infection. A case report of the clinical aspects and diagnosis of legionellosis].

In patients with infection from Legionella pneumophila, it must be taken into consideration that the nervous system may be involved. This involvement can precede the pneumonia by several days. Headache, acute mental status changes and cerebellar dysfunctions are the most common neurological symptoms. In the case reported, extrapyramidal disturbances were also observed that are rarely found in association with Legionella infection. There are grounds for the assumption that Legionella toxins cause impairment to the nervous system. The neurological symptoms are not specific enough to allow differentiation of this infection from pneumonia of other etiologies.