title: The farmer who didn't need a wheel barrow.
abstract: We report the difficulties encountered in diagnosing leptospirosis in an 85-year-old man who presented with non-specific signs and symptoms. Initially, a wide haematologic and oncologic work-up without significant results was performed, as symptoms of several organ dysfunctions emerged and the clinical course showed a rapid deterioration. After several days without a definite diagnosis, the infection was finally detected after reviewing all results and considering the patient's profession as a farmer. After receiving appropriate antibiotic treatment the patient recovered fully.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Basel, Department of Internal Medicine, Petersgraben 4, Basel, 4031, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Willibald
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hochholzer
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Orasch
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arranto
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hunziker