275
The culture method despite being regarded as an excellent method for
the diagnosis of legionellosis, is still not widely used due to its limitations.The
limitations are placed at a methodological level and at clinical level. Usually
the cough is non-secretive and trans-tracheal aspirates or bronchoalveolar
techniques are too invasive for the patient). The main difficulties are
related to the response time that is too long, and the bacteria itself; which
requires the use of specific culture media not normally used in hospitals.
Chart 4
–Number of cases of LD reported, over time, through the DGS method through the Integrated
Epidemiological Surveillance Program 2004-2012).
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Número de casos
Ano
Nº Total Casos
Notificação pelos
dois sistemas (
DDO + Vig Lab )
Notificação
apenas por DDO
Notificação
apenas por
VigLab
