title: The first case in Japan of severe human leptospirosis imported from Vietnam.
abstract: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis and common in tropical and subtropical areas with high rainfall. It should be noted as an imported infectious disease although it is sporadic in Japan. Some imported cases already have been reported in Japan and these cases occurred mainly in Southeast Asia. The case discussed in this article is the first reported Japanese case infected in Vietnam. Four days after returning back to Japan after a two-week stay in the mountain area near Hue, in the middle part of Vietnam, the patient suddenly experienced chills, a high fever, sore throat, gastrocnemius pain, and headache. Conjunctival jaundice, renal function disorder, and proteinuria were observed on the third day of onset. Significant increase in antibody titers against serovar Australis and Autumnalis strains was observed in paired serum samples by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Consequently we recognized this case as a diagnosis of severe leptospirosis (Weil's disease). Finally, renal function disorder did not deteriorate further, and then the patient recovered after the tenth day of onset with the administration of antibiotics and supportive care without sequelae. We experienced the first imported Japanese case of severe human leptospirosis infection from Vietnam that was successfully treated with ceftriaxone and minocycline.
authors: The Department of Public Health, Kansai Medical University ; Center for Travel Medicine, Kansai Medical University Takii Hospital.
authors: Nobuyuki
authors: N
authors: Mishima
authors: The Department of Public Health, Kansai Medical University ; Center for Travel Medicine, Kansai Medical University Takii Hospital.
authors: Koichiro
authors: K
authors: Tabuchi
authors: The Department of Public Health, Kansai Medical University ; Center for Travel Medicine, Kansai Medical University Takii Hospital.
authors: Tomoaki
authors: T
authors: Kuroda
authors: The Department of Public Health, Kansai Medical University ; Center for Travel Medicine, Kansai Medical University Takii Hospital.
authors: Issaku
authors: I
authors: Nakatani
authors: The Department of Public Health, Kansai Medical University.
authors: Pheophet
authors: P
authors: Lamaningao
authors: The Department of Public Health, Kansai Medical University.
authors: Mari
authors: M
authors: Miyake
authors: The Department of Public Health, Kansai Medical University.
authors: Seiji
authors: S
authors: Kanda
authors: Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
authors: Nobuo
authors: N
authors: Koizumi
authors: The Department of Public Health, Kansai Medical University ; Center for Travel Medicine, Kansai Medical University Takii Hospital.
authors: Toshimasa
authors: T
authors: Nishiyama
keywords: Vietnam; imported case; severe human leptospirosis