title: Thrombocytopenia complicating the clinical course of leptospiral infection.
abstract: Leptospirosis can present with a wide clinical spectrum, and haematological manifestations are often apparent. We retrospectively analysed platelet counts in 49 patients with leptospirosis. Forty-three patients (87.8%) had thrombocytopenia. Mean baseline platelet counts rose from 69 x 10(9)/l to 151 x 10(9)/l following treatment. Haemorrhagic episodes were observed in 11 patients. Platelet nadir was 29 x 10(9)/l in the group experiencing bleeding and 64 x 10(9)/l in the remainder. Six patients died due to bleeding and one due to sepsis. Thirty-six patients (73.5%) had acute renal failure; their means platelet count was 46 x 10(9)/l. Liver enzyme levels were elevated in all patients. Thrombocyte count, liver enzyme levels and bilirubin levels were significantly correlated. Forty-three (87.8%) patients showed signs of sepsis; mean thrombocyte count was 46 x 10(9)/l in these patients, and 133 x 10(9)/l in those without sepsis. Multiple organ involvement and fulminant disease is usually associated with renal failure and/or thrombocytopenia in leptospirosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey. mturgut@omu.edu.tr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turgut
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sünbül
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bayirli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bilge
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leblebicioğlu
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Haznedaroğlu
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D014421:Turkey