First isolation of Leptospira fainei serovar Hurstbridge from two human patients with Weil's syndrome.
Leptospira fainei serovar Hurstbridge is a recently discovered Leptospira species and so far it has only been cultured from animal sources. Based on positive serology and positive PCR for L. fainei among patients suspected of having leptospirosis, a role in human disease seems likely. This study describes two patients with Weil's disease from whom L. fainei was cultured. A local source of the infections was suspected, as these two patients resided in the same area of Denmark, were hospitalised approximately at the same time and had not been travelling recently. The Leptospira species was determined by serology, PCR and sequencing of bacterial DNA. One patient developed autoimmune hepatitis in the course of the L. fainei infection and was treated with both antibiotics and immunosuppression with good effect. The other patient had a self-limiting disease and did not receive any treatment.
Petersen
Andreas M
AM
Boye
Kit
K
Departments of Gastrointestinal Infections, *Clinical Biochemistry and †Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen S and ‡Department of Medical Gastroenterology C, Herlev University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Blom
Jens
J
Departments of Gastrointestinal Infections, *Clinical Biochemistry and †Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen S and ‡Department of Medical Gastroenterology C, Herlev University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Schlichting
Poul
P
Departments of Gastrointestinal Infections, *Clinical Biochemistry and †Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen S and ‡Department of Medical Gastroenterology C, Herlev University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Krogfelt
Karen A
KA
D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014895:Weil Disease / Q000382:microbiology*
D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S