Prognostic factors associated with severe leptospirosis.
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.
Doudier
B
B
Garcia
S
S
Quennee
V
V
Jarno
P
P
Brouqui
P
P
D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000175:diagnosis; D007921:Leptospira interrogans; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009846:Oliguria / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology