Leptospirosis presenting as atypical pneumonia, respiratory failure and pyogenic meningitis.
A 20-year-old man who looked after a pack of hounds was admitted with a short history of headache, fever, haemoptysis and muscle cramps. Investigations showed type I respiratory failure with diffuse pneumonitis, pyogenic meningitis and raised liver enzymes. Leptospirosis was suspected and treated with the appropriate antibiotics leading to a full recovery. The diagnosis was confirmed by a titre of I/2560 to Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae. The case illustrates an unusual presentation of this infection and argues for early antibiotic treatment.
Alani
F S
FS
Department of Medicine, Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Lancashire, U.K.
Mahoney
M P
MP
Ormerod
L P
LP
Wright
P A
PA
Garrues
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007921:Leptospira interrogans; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents