Question

After a friend has finished a dialysis treatment, you go to a resort in North Carolina. You celebrate your 25th birthdays and spend time in the spa and hot tub. After the trip, only your friend develops chills, fever, and skin lesions.

1.What is the causative agent?

2.Give TWO reasons for choosing the causative agent. (ONE per line)

Answer 1

1. The causative agent that causes chills, fever and skin lesions in a post dialysis patient who spend time in spa and hot tub is Legionella pneumophilia.

• 2. Legionella is naturally found in water, especially warm water. Hot tubs or spas that are not cleaned and disinfected enough can become contaminated with legionella. Legionella bacteria thrieves at temperature between 20 degree celcius and 50 degree celcius.
• Legionnaires disease or pontiac fever affects more commonly in immuno supressant patients. Dialysis patients who are having weakened immune system belongs to high risk group for affecting pontiac fever.