Legionellosis in Limousin in 2010 - Situation in the Limousin Region

In 2010, 19 cases of Legionnaires' disease were reported in Limousin, including 9 in Haute-Vienne, 7 in Corrèze, and 3 in Creuse. Among these, 1 case was not a resident of the region. No outbreak was identified in the region in 2010. The incidence rate for the region was 2.4 cases per 100,000 people and was similar to that observed nationwide. The incidence rates (cases per 100,000 inhabitants) by department were 2.1 in Haute-Vienne, 2.9 in Corrèze, and 2.4 in Creuse. An upward trend in the incidence rate has been observed in Limousin over the past two years following a significant decrease in 2008. The characteristics of the cases have not changed in recent years. In 2010, the male-to-female sex ratio was 2.0 and the median age was 66.5 years (range: 20–88 years). The incidence rate of Legionnaires' disease was highest among individuals aged 80 and older (8.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in this age group). The outcome was known for 17 of the 18 cases that occurred in 2010. The case-fatality rate (12%) remains high, with 2 deaths.Fourteen cases (78%) had at least one risk factor. Smoking was the most common risk factor (7 cases). Other risk factors were (not mutually exclusive): corticosteroid therapy or other immunosuppressants (3 cases), hematological disorders (2 cases), heart disease (3 cases), and other factors (3 cases). In 2010, all cases of Legionnaires’ disease were diagnosed by urinary soluble antigen testing (detection of LP1). A strain was isolated in 2 cases (10% of cases, compared to 18% for France as a whole). The species identified were LP1 in both cases. For 4 cases, no culture was performed, and for 13 cases, this information was not reported. In 2010, a risk exposure was reported by the DO for 7 of the 19 cases reported in Limousin. The identified exposures were a hotel, a workplace, a temporary residence, and a hospital.