Weil's disease in a young homeless man living in Lisbon.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution caused by infection with Leptospira genus bacteria, a pathogenic spirochaete. We present the case of a 29-year-old man admitted to our hospital with fever and multiorgan failure. He provided poor information about his symptoms. No recent travel or occupational history was reported and his clinical presentation did not suggest any infectious foci. His relatives later disclosed that he had been homeless for 3 weeks in the context of behavioural changes, obtaining foodstuff from waste containers and water from rain puddles. In the setting of this epidemiology, his presentation of fever, jaundice, acute renal injury and thrombocytopaenia suggested leptospirosis. Prompt empirical antimicrobial coverage was started, alongside organ support therapy. The diagnosis was later confirmed through microscopical and molecular methods. The patient made a full recovery. Leptospirosis should be considered early in the diagnostic work-up of any patient with acute febrile illness with multiorgan system involvement, with the identification of risk factors being essential to treat early in development of the disease.

Leptospirosis: Report from the task force on tropical diseases by the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by a gram negative aerobic spirochete of the genus Leptospira. It is acquired by contact with urine or reproductive fluids from infected animals, or by inoculation from contaminated water or soil. The disease has a global distribution, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions that have a humid, rainy climate and is also common in travelers returning from these regions. Clinical suspicion is critical for the diagnosis and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of any patient with a febrile hepatorenal syndrome in, or returning from endemic regions. The leptospiremic phase occurs early and thereafter there is an immunologic phase in which the most severe form, Weil's disease, occurs. In the latter, multiple organ dysfunction predominates. The appropriate diagnostic test depends on the stage of the disease and consists of direct and indirect detection methods and cultures. Severely ill patients need to be monitored in an ICU with appropriate anti-bacterial agents and early, aggressive and effective organ support. Antibiotic therapy consists of penicillins, macrolides or third generation cephalosporins.

Weil's disease presenting as atypical pneumonia.

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by spp. Leptospira, also known as Weil's disease if it manifests with jaundice. It can be associated with respiratory, renal, hepatic and haematological complications and most importantly carries a high mortality when untreated. We describe a case of a 53 year old man presenting with myalgia and fever in whom the diagnosis of leptospirosis was not initially considered. Following a deterioration in his condition a careful history revealed an apparent brief exposure to animal urine and subsequent grossly positive Leptospira serology. Treatment of his condition led to complete resolution after a brief stay on the intensive care unit. This case highlights the atypical nature of a presentation of Leptospirosis, its respiratory complications, and importance of serological testing in its diagnosis.

Icterohaemorrhagic leptospirosis in patients with history of alcohol abuse - report of two cases.

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonosis caused by spirochetes from the genus Leptospira and is typically associated with rural settings. Transmission occurs via contact with urine from infected animals; incubation period ranges from 4 days to 4 weeks. The clinical spectrum of leptospirosis may be mild and self-limited or severe with jaundice, renal failure, and bleeding manifestations (icterohaemorrhagic leptospirosis, so called Weil's disease). Mortality in severe forms remains high even when optimal treatment is provided. Early clinical suspicion and laboratory confirmation of leptospirosis is essential since delays in diagnosis may increase mortality. Alcohol-related toxicity and alcoholic hepatitis are common pathological processes, which can occasionally produce clinical syndromes similar to leptospirosis. There are few reports regarding the clinical course of leptospirosis in chronic alcoholics. Here, we describe two patients with Weil's disease, in whom alcohol abuse caused therapeutic difficulties. One of the cases was with lethal outcome.

[Morbus Weil - a case study and principles]. / Morbus Weil - kazuistika a princípy.

We present a case of a 66 years old man without significant medical history who was admitted to a geriatric department of a local hospital for a critical clinical state with severe icterus (billirubin 368 µmol/l), acute renal failure (urea 48 mmol/l, creatinine 714 µmol/l) and severe thrombocytopaenia. When the patients son completed his personal history on the 4th day of hospitalization reporting that the patient had worked in a pub flooded during local floods, we also considered leptospirosis as a potential cause of his current state. Parenteral penicillin antibiotics (amoxicillin + clavulanate) were prescribed and comprehensive infusion rehydration, corrective and haemostyptic treatments were continued. Despite transient worsening of thrombocytopaenia to 8 × 103/µl, we did not observe any severe bleeding, thrombocytopaenia gradually improved and thrombocyte levels were in the reference range from the 7th day of hospitalization. Acute renal failure (ARF) did not involve oliguria and an intensive conservative treatment provided gradual improvement of the clinical status as well as laboratory parameters with creatinine levels at discharge of 121.3 µmol/l. Heamodialysis was not used. Billirubin levels also gradually declined to 25 µmol/l at discharge. Leptospiral antibodies in the urine and serum were suggestive of leptospirosis. The diagnosis was confirmed with follow up investigations 13 days after discharge. The condition was caused by Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae. The patients condition was complicated with deterioration of pre-existing hearing impairment. We also expect a contribution of leptospirosis to its anamnesis. Antibiotic treatment continued for 16 day, 7 of which with parenteral administration. Haemodynamically stable, normotensive, afebrile, self-sufficient patient was discharged on 37th day of hospitalization to primary care.

Potential benefits of plasma exchange by apheresis on the treatment of severe Icteric Leptospirosis: case report and literature review.

The role of plasmapheresis on the treatment of Leptospirosis has not been define, although it has already been used with beneficial effects in the reported case mentioned above, where was possible to contribute to the resolution of the toxic effects on the tubular renal cells. This case report show how plasma exchange prevents the multiorganic failure.

Coupled plasma filtration-adsorption in Weil's syndrome: case report.

Weil's syndrome is a form of leptospirosis characterized by jaundice, renal failure and hemorrhagic diathesis. Its pathogenesis is related with the invasiveness of leptospires and with the subsequent systemic inflammatory response. Coupled plasma filtration-adsorption (CPFA) is a modality of extracorporeal blood purification in which plasma is separated from the whole blood and directed into a sorbent cartridge. Due to the ability of the sorbent agent to remove cytokines, CPFA has been proposed as an adjuvant treatment in septic shock. We report the case of a 27-year-old man with Weil's syndrome who was admitted to ICU with hypotension and anuria refractory to fluid therapy, ARDS, and hepatic involvement. The man needed intubation, mechanical ventilation and vasopressor infusion. CPFA was started early after the onset of shock. Five courses of CPFA were performed. Each course lasted for 10 h with 14 h interval. Weaning from vasopressors was achieved during the second course of CPFA (day 2 after admission). Weaning from ventilation was achieved on day 6. Interestingly, diuresis started during the first course of CPFA, with a creatinine clearance of 63 ml/min on day 8 and a normalization of the ratio urinary to plasma osmolality on day 28. The patient was discharged on day 11 and 28 from the Intensive Care Unit and hospital respectively.

Clinical and imaging manifestations of hemorrhagic pulmonary leptospirosis: a state-of-the-art review.

Leptospirosis, a spirochetal zoonosis, is frequently unrecognized due to its manifestation as an undifferentiated fever. It is an emerging infectious disease that has changed from an occupational disease of veterinarians, farmers, butchers, and other animal handlers to a cause of epidemics in poor and decayed urban communities in developing countries. Humans are infected when mucous membranes or abraded skin come into direct contact with the urine of infected animals, especially rats and dogs. Mortality from severe leptospirosis is high, even when optimal treatment is provided. The diagnosis of leptospirosis is based on clinical findings, history of direct or indirect exposure to infected animals in endemic areas, and positive serological tests. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with febrile illnesses associated with pneumonitis and respiratory failure, especially when hemoptysis is present. Severe pulmonary involvement in leptospirosis consists primarily of hemorrhagic pneumonitis. In advanced cases, adult respiratory distress syndrome and massive pulmonary hemorrhage may occur. Chest radiographs show bilateral alveolar infiltrates and/or resemble viral pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, tuberculosis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and other causes of pulmonary hemorrhage such as Goodpasture syndrome. High-resolution computed tomography scans may show nodular infiltrates, areas of consolidation, ground-glass attenuation, and crazy-paving patterns. Bronchoalveolar lavage and autopsy studies have suggested that ground-glass opacities and air-space consolidations are secondary to pulmonary hemorrhage. Although not specific, the presence of these computed tomography findings in a febrile patient with an appropriate history should suggest a diagnosis of leptospirosis.

Two cases of Weil's disease with acute renal failure in the central Tokyo metropolitan area.

The incidence of leptospirosis, or Weil's disease, in developed countries, particularly in temperate regions, has been dramatically decreasing due to recent improvements in the hygienic environment. In these areas, physicians rarely face this disease and inclusion as a differential diagnosis of acute renal failure seems increasingly uncommon. However, we encountered two cases of severe leptospirosis requiring hemodialysis in central Tokyo. Both cases showed hyperbilirubinemia, thrombocytopenia and mental disturbance in addition to acute renal failure. Severe leptospirosis remains associated with high mortality rates, and early clinical suspicion and laboratory confirmation of the disease are crucial. Detailed history-taking suggested that leptospirosis was caused by transmission from rats in both cases. Rodents inhabit most land areas, implying that the disease can occur all over the world, even in huge metropoles such as Tokyo. These two cases indicate the need for awareness of leptospirosis among physicians working even in urban areas of developed countries.

Bat-associated leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a globally prevalent disease that affects humans, causing systemic illness that may lead to multi-organ involvement. Clinical signs include sudden fever, general malaise, muscular pain, conjunctival suffusion, and jaundice. Disease is caused by pathogenic bacteria including over 200 serologic variants. Most serologic variants have primary reservoirs in wild mammals, which continually infect and colonize domesticated animals. The organism has been recovered from rats, swine, dogs, cattle, and other animals, notably bats. Most studies have focused on domestic animals as reservoir hosts; however, because of their abundance, spatial distribution, and interrelationship with domestic animals, bats are becoming an epidemiologically significant source of leptospires. We present a case of serologically confirmed leptospirosis after bat exposure to add to the growing literature of bats as a possible source of transmission. Recognition of the common presentation of leptospirosis and Weil's disease, and identification of animal vectors, including bats, allows for the selection of appropriate antibiotic management to aid in resolution of symptomotology.

Severe course of rat bite-associated Weil's disease in a patient diagnosed with a new Leptospira-specific real-time quantitative LUX-PCR.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with global distribution, caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira. Transmission of Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, the causative agent of Weil's disease, to humans usually results from exposure to the urine of infected, but mostly asymptomatic, rodents, either by direct contact or indirectly through contaminated soil or water. Although regarded as a re-emerging infectious disease, human leptospirosis is probably underdiagnosed due to its often unspecific clinical appearance and difficulties in culturing leptospires. Therefore, more rapid and specific diagnostic procedures are needed. Here we describe a novel real-time quantitative PCR system developed for the accurate and fast diagnosis of pathogenic Leptospira spp. Its usefulness in the management of a patient with rat bite-associated multiorgan failure is demonstrated.

Door-to-dialysis time and daily hemodialysis in patients with leptospirosis: impact on mortality.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a public health problem, the severe form of which (Weil's disease) includes acute respiratory distress syndrome, typically accompanied by acute kidney injury (AKI), and is associated with high mortality rates. Recent evidence suggests that dialysis dosage affects outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis-induced AKI. However, this population varies widely in terms of age, gender, and concomitant conditions, making it difficult to determine the appropriate timing (door-to-dialysis time) and dialysis dosage. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: It is logical to assume that increasing the dialysis dosage would minimize uremic complications and improve outcomes in such patients. Patients with Weil's disease constitute a homogeneous population and are typically free of comorbidities, therefore presenting an ideal model in which to test this assumption. RESULTS: The effects of dialysis dosage were evaluated in this population, with the use of either classic or slow low-efficiency hemodialysis, and two periods/treatment plans were compared: 2002 to 2003/delayed, alternate-day dialysis (DAdD group; n = 15) and 2004 to 2005/prompt and daily dialysis (PaDD group; n = 18). Age, gender, AKI severity, APACHE score, serum urea, and time to recovery of renal function were assessed. All patients received vasoactive drugs (because of hemodynamic instability) and were on mechanical ventilation (because of acute respiratory distress syndrome). Mean serum urea during the dialysis period was significantly lower in the PaDD group than in the DAdD group. Of the PaDD group patients, three (16.7%) died, compared with 10 (66.7%) of the DAdD group patients. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this result, it is believed that alternate-day hemodialysis is no longer appropriate for critically ill patients with Weil's disease.

[A severe case of Weil's disease]. / Agir seyirli bir weil hastaligi olgusu.

Leptospirosis which is caused by Leptospira species, may present with clinical features that vary from a mild flu-like illness to an acute life-threatening condition. Weil's disease, the most severe form of leptospirosis is characterized by multiorgan involvement including liver, kidney and lungs. In this report a severe Weil's disease was presented. A 43 years old male patient who had a history of swallowing water while swimming in the creek, was admitted to the hospital with the complaints of weakness, cough, bloody sputum, generalized jaundice and dark urine. Acute renal failure, bilateral lung infiltration, hyperbilirubinemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia were detected, and the patient has undergone to hemodialysis. Ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin treatment was applied to the patient after collection of blood, urine and sputum cultures and serum samples for serological tests. None of the cultures yielded pathogenic microorganisms. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was applied to two serum samples which were collected with 10 days interval. The first serum sample revealed antibody positivity at 1/200 titer against L. semeranga Patoc I, while the second serum revealed antibody positivity at 1/400 titer against both L. semeranga Patoc I and L. icterohaemorrhagiae Wijnberg. By the administration of antibiotic therapy and early supportive care the patient was cured completely. In conclusion Weil's disease should be taken into consideration in the patients with multiple organ involvements.

[Weil's syndrome (leptospiral infection): a case report].

INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is an acute zoonotic infection, caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. It is characterized by extensive vasculitis. It is usually transmitted indirectly, per contaminated water, rarely directly, through contact with infected animals. Leptospira bacteria commonly enter the body through damaged skin or mucous membranes. The clinical syndromes may vary from a subclinical infection and mild febrile condition to severe clinical symptoms with jaundice and renal failure. CASE REPORT: This is a case report of a patient with leptospirosis (Weil's disease) whose clinical manifestations included: icterus, renal failure, hemorrhagic syndrome and disturbances of consciousness. After the use of antibiotics, symptomatic and substitution therapy, all symptoms resolved completely. However, in our patient, hemodialysis was necessary due to renal failure, as a palliative measure. DISCUSSION: Weil's syndrome is a severe form of leptospirosis, which can be fatal. Early clinical diagnosis of the disease, as well as serologic verification of infection, are very important prerequisites, followed by antibiotic and other symptomatic therapy, as soon as possible. CONCLUSION: This is a case report of a patient with rare clinical manifestations of leptosirosis. Although presenting with severe symptoms, thanks to palliative therapeutic measures, complete and fast recovery was achieved. We especially point out the role of.

Leptospirosis icteo-hemorragica / Leptospirosis

La leptospirosis es una enfermedad infecciosa aguda, poco frecuente, que se adquiere por contacto de aguas servidas y contaminadas por orina de ratas infectadas. Clínicamente se caracteriza por un síndrome febril agudo bimodal con compromiso hepático, renal y meníngeo asociada ocasionalmente a manifestaciones purpúricas y que cursa con leucocitosis y neutrofilia. El diagnóstico clínico se confirma bacteriológica y serológicamente. El tratamiento de elección es la penicilina en dosis diaria de 5 a 10 millones, administrada precozmente, lo que implica un alto índice de sospecha clínica.

Leptospirosis--3 cases and a review.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease of variable severity characterized by sudden onset of headache, myalgia and prostration. Although most common in the tropics, an increasing number of cases is reported in Europe and Northern America. Severe forms referred to as Weil's disease commonly involve kidneys, liver, lungs, CNS and heart and require early recognition and immediate initiation of adequate therapy. We describe 3 patients with Weil's syndrome from an urbanized region in Southern Germany, who developed renal and respiratory failure. PCR facilitated early diagnosis, and therefore, specific treatment before serological tests were positive. Illustrating the case histories, initial presentations and clinical courses, we point out difficulties with early diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, we offer a comprehensive overview on leptospirosis with emphasis on renal involvement, current diagnostic tools and evidence-based therapy.