Peripheral nerve palsy in a case of leptospirosis.
We describe an unusual case of leptospirosis in a 54-year-old man presenting peripheral nerve palsy. The diagnosis of leptospirosis was confirmed by ELISA IgM and the microscopic agglutination test. Electrophysiological studies showed that no response could be obtained from the right fibular nerve. At 7 months after the initiation of treatment, additional electrophysiological studies and a neurological examination showed, respectively, a chronic axonal lesion of right fibular nerve with signs of re-innervation and a nearly complete clinical recovery. We feel that this case may serve to remind clinicians that peripheral nerve palsy is a potential clinical feature of leptospirosis.
Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectology, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 165, CEP 01246-000, São Paulo, Brazil. alexandreexu@aol.com
Alexandre Leite
AL
de Souza
Jaques
J
Sztajnbok
Anne
A
Spichler
Solyon Maia
SM
Carvalho
Augusto César Penalva
AC
de Oliveira
Antonio Carlos
AC
Seguro
D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020427:Peroneal Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology