title: Prognostic factors associated with severe leptospirosis.
abstract: Leptospirosis is an anthropozoonosis caused by Leptospira interrogans. It occurs worldwide and is endemic in French Polynesia. Leptospirosis is associated with a large variety of clinical symptoms. Most infections caused by leptospires are either sub-clinical or of very mild severity, but 5-10% of infections result in multiple organ damage, including kidney, liver and lung lesions. Among 71 patients hospitalised in Papeete for severe leptospirosis during a period of 2 years, the main risk-factors for a severe outcome were hypotension, oliguria and an abnormal chest auscultation at the first physical examination. Survival depends on rapid diagnosis and early appropriate management. Well-defined criteria may help physicians to improve the timely treatment of high-risk patients.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Doudier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Quennee
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jarno
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brouqui
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000175:diagnosis; D007921:Leptospira interrogans; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009846:Oliguria / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology