[Epidemiological, clinical, biological and developmental aspects of leptospirosis: apropos of 30 cases in Aquitaine]

Abstract

We have studied retrospectively 30 cases of leptospirosis observed in Aquitaine (South West France) from 1980 till 1992. This review was made in three internal and a nephrology department in Bordeaux hospital. Most cases occurred by indirect contact with infected animals or by occupational exposures. Onset was brutal with fever often associated with painful syndrome and sometimes conjunctival suffusion. Jaundice (70%), acute renal failure (67%), meningitis (50%) and hemorrhagic signs (50%) were among the major visceral manifestations. Diagnosis was always confirmed by micro-agglutination test. Leptospira ictero-hemorrhage was the predominant serogroup found. The outcome was favorable in 22 patients; reversible complications were seen in six cases (five acute renal failure with hemodialysis myocarditis and pulmonary edema in two hemodialysed patients, polyradiculoneuritis). Two patients died (acute respiratory failure and meningo-encephalitis with diffuse hemorrhagic syndrome). The characteristic of our series is the high frequency of hepatorenal syndrome due to the importance of our nephrologist recruitment. Furthermore our study confirm the vital prognostic characters of the pulmonary, renal, hemorrhagic and neurologic complications. No absolute relationship was found between the clinical and laboratory findings and the serotype of leptospira. Penicillin remains the treatment of choice and should be started as soon as possible the avoid the life threatening visceral complications.