Pneumonia due to Leptospira spp.: results of an epidemiological and clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of Leptospira spp. infections in a population of in- and out-patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and the incidence of leptospiral pneumonia.


RESULTS
Of 176 patients infected with CAP who were evaluated for the presence of Leptospira spp. as causative agent, 10 were found positive for leptospiral antibodies (prevalence rate: 5.7%), but seroconversion was observed in only one case (incidence rate: 0.6%). The patient had had recent contact with possibly contaminated water. She had pulmonary involvement and signs of mild hepatic damage, but recovered fully.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors highlight the importance of testing for leptospirosis in case of pneumonia in endemic areas where the more common causative pathogens for CAP can not be documented and when initial empiric therapy is ineffective.
Unità Operativa Microbiologia Clinica, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Italia.
V
V
Perani
C
C
Farina
L
L
Maggi
G
G
Michetti
F
F
Moioli
P
P
Pizzocaro
C
C
Pugliese
D000328:Adult; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence