BAL

Objective. To determine significance of Legionella pneumonia for hematological patients in ICUs, and to evaluate prospects of the proposed algorithm for diagnosis of legionellosis. Materials and Methods. A total of 37 hematological ICU patients were assessed for legionellosis between December 2010 and February 2012. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid culture and Legionella urinary antigen test (rapid immunochromatographic assay) were used to diagnose legionellosis. Results. Diagnosis of legionellosis was confirmed in 4 (11%) patients, of which 3 had fatal outcome.