Publication: Practicing Medicine Wisely: Routine Use of Urine Legionella in Suspicious Pneumonia – Are we Overdoing?
Date
2024
Article Type
Viewpoint
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
JNMA Print ISSN: 0028-2715; Online ISSN: 1815-672X
Volume Title
Pages
Pages: 407 - 413
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract
Legionella spp. is an underreported cause of Community Acquired pneumonia that affects significant population specially in urban areas and its prevalence is on an increasing trend. The routine practice of testing for urinary antigen of Legionella in all suspected cases of pneumonia is prevalent is resource rich western countries. Although several studies have shown no distinct advantage of performing routine urinary antigen testing, this practice continues to be preferred by clinicians. In this viewpoint, we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of urinary antigen testing, its relevance in current practice and its impact on clinical outcomes.
Description
Swotantra Gautam
Department of Internal Medicine, Advent Health Orlando, Florida, USA.
Aakash Neupane
Department of Internal Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal.
Luis Isea Mercado
Department of Internal Medicine, Advent Health Orlando, Florida, USA.
Phuong Nguyen
Department of Internal Medicine, Advent Health Orlando, Florida, USA.
Suzit Bhusal
Research and Development Unit, National Trauma Centre, Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Keywords
Identifier
https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.8621