Abstract
Leptospiroisis presents with a wide range of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild disease symptoms to life threatening complications. The clinical features and routine laboratory findings are not specific, and therefore a high index of suspicion must be maintained for the diagnosis. We documented a case of a patient, who presented with high grade fever, diarrhea, vomiting, had icterus on examination. Initial laboratory investigations revealed low platelet count, along with raised liver enzymes. IgM leptospirosis came positive and patients received broad spectrum antimicrobials and supportive fluid therapy. During admission, patient developed sudden onset breathlessness, which was diagnosed as acute respiratory distress syndrome after doing immediate arterial blood gases. The patient received noninvasive ventilation with positive airway pressure, from which the patient eventually recovered. Most of the cases of leptospirosis are uneventful with complete recovery. However, a minority of these cases may end with life threatening complications. A vaccine for human use is not available in most countries. Therefore, the prevention involves reducing exposure, either by avoiding situations that pose a risk of transmission or using protective clothing.
Highlights
A wide spectrum of clinical presentation is exhibited by leptospirosis
Humans most often become infected after exposure to environmental sources, such as animal urine, contaminated water or soil, or infected animal tissue through cuts or abraded skin, mucous membranes, or conjunctiva
We describe a case of leptospirosis which later has proved to be acute respiratory distress syndrome
Summary
A wide spectrum of clinical presentation is exhibited by leptospirosis. The organism infects a variety of wild and domestic mammals, especially rodents, cattle, swine, dogs, horses, sheep, and goats. Humans most often become infected after exposure to environmental sources, such as animal urine, contaminated water or soil, or infected animal tissue through cuts or abraded skin, mucous membranes, or conjunctiva. Most cases are mild and self-limited or subclinical, while some are severe and potentially fatal. Severe pulmonary disease, characterized by pulmonary hemorrhage, is a serious complication of leptospirosis; it may be underdiagnosed in highly endemic regions [1]. We describe a case of leptospirosis which later has proved to be acute respiratory distress syndrome
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