title: Haematological and clinical-chemistry markers in patients presenting with leptospirosis: a comparison of the findings from uncomplicated cases with those seen in the severe disease.
abstract: In a retrospective study, the laboratory findings from the first blood samples taken following hospital presentation in patients with uncomplicated leptospirosis have been compared with the corresponding data for patients admitted, to a high-dependency medical ward or intensive-care unit, with severe leptospirosis. The aim was to identify those laboratory markers that differentiate the two clinical groups upon initial presentation. Marked differences were observed, in some of the haematological and clinical-chemistry markers, between the patients with severe leptospirosis and those with the uncomplicated disease. Statistically significant differences were found in haemoglobin concentrations, haematocrits, counts of erythrocytes, leucocytes, neutrophils and platelets, and serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, protein and albumin. These markers may therefore be useful in the assessment and early detection of disease severity in patients with suspected leptospirosis. Investigations into the use of albumin treatments, which might significantly improve the clinical care of patients with acute leptospirosis, appear to be justified.
authors.affiliation: WHO/FAO/OIE Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Communicable Diseases Unit, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, P.O. Box 594, Archerfield, Queensland, 4108, Australia. scott_craig@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: M-A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dohnt
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Smythe
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006441:Hemoglobin A / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011793:Queensland; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006441:Hemoglobin A