Legionnaires’ Disease Presenting With Acute Kidney Injury: Successful Treatment With Antibiotics

Legionnaires' disease is a bacterial infection caused by Legionella, such as Legionella pneumophila. It mainly causes severe pneumonia, with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In rare cases, it can cause acute kidney disease and also occasionally become severe enough to require replacement therapy. We report the case of a patient who was admitted with severe pneumonitis and acute kidney injury following Legionella infection. Symptoms improved with antibiotic treatment; however, renal damage persisted. A renal biopsy was performed, highlighting the importance of recognizing kidney involvement in Legionella infections and demonstrating how renal biopsy can guide the course of treatment.Legionnaires' disease is a bacterial infection caused by Legionella, such as Legionella pneumophila. It mainly causes severe pneumonia, with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In rare cases, it can cause acute kidney disease and also occasionally become severe enough to require replacement therapy. We report the case of a patient who was admitted with severe pneumonitis and acute kidney injury following Legionella infection. Symptoms improved with antibiotic treatment; however, renal damage persisted. A renal biopsy was performed, highlighting the importance of recognizing kidney involvement in Legionella infections and demonstrating how renal biopsy can guide the course of treatment.