BACKGROUND/AIM: In leptospirosis, although cardiac involvement in the form of ECG changes and myocarditis is known, it is not considered to be significant. This study analysed cardiac changes in leptospirosis. METHODS: Twenty-four hearts from patients who had died from leptospirosis were studied. Detailed gross and light microscopic examination was carried out. RESULTS: Myocarditis was noted in 96% of cases. Endocardial inflammation was seen in 50% of cases. This endocardial inflammation correlates with vasculitis, which is the principal pathogenetic mechanism of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: There is definite cardiac involvement in leptospirosis, which even though not symptomatically evident, may add to the morbidity or be contributory to the mortality associated with the disease. In addition, a possibility of dilated cardiomyopathy as a delayed consequence of severe myocarditis remains, and may need evaluation.
BACKGROUND/AIM: In leptospirosis, although cardiac involvement in the form of ECG changes and myocarditis is known, it is not considered to be significant. This study analysed cardiac changes in leptospirosis. METHODS: Twenty-four hearts from patients who had died from leptospirosis were studied. Detailed gross and light microscopic examination was carried out. RESULTS:Myocarditis was noted in 96% of cases. Endocardial inflammation was seen in 50% of cases. This endocardial inflammation correlates with vasculitis, which is the principal pathogenetic mechanism of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: There is definite cardiac involvement in leptospirosis, which even though not symptomatically evident, may add to the morbidity or be contributory to the mortality associated with the disease. In addition, a possibility of dilated cardiomyopathy as a delayed consequence of severe myocarditis remains, and may need evaluation.
Authors: Andrea M Spiri; Sabrina Rodriguez-Campos; José M Matos; Tony M Glaus; Barbara Riond; Claudia E Reusch; Regina Hofmann-Lehmann; Barbara Willi Journal: BMC Vet Res Date: 2017-05-25 Impact factor: 2.741
Authors: P G N S Jayathilaka; A S V Mendis; M H M T S Perera; H M T Damsiri; A V C Gunaratne; Suneth Buddhika Agampodi Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2019-03-18 Impact factor: 3.090