title: Weil's disease presenting as atypical pneumonia.
abstract: Leptospirosis is a disease caused by spp. Leptospira, also known as Weil's disease if it manifests with jaundice. It can be associated with respiratory, renal, hepatic and haematological complications and most importantly carries a high mortality when untreated. We describe a case of a 53 year old man presenting with myalgia and fever in whom the diagnosis of leptospirosis was not initially considered. Following a deterioration in his condition a careful history revealed an apparent brief exposure to animal urine and subsequent grossly positive Leptospira serology. Treatment of his condition led to complete resolution after a brief stay on the intensive care unit. This case highlights the atypical nature of a presentation of Leptospirosis, its respiratory complications, and importance of serological testing in its diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
authors.affiliation: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishnamoorthy
authors.affiliation: Consultant Physician in Respiratory & Acute Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: Consultant Acute Medicine and Elderly Care Physician, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ka Ho Lee
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000209:etiology; D007919:Leptospira / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011859:Radiography; D012698:Serologic Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014895:Weil Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D017291:Clarithromycin