OBJECTIVE: The outcome of leptospirosis after the resolution of acute disease, either spontaneously or after treatment, is not well described. The aim of this study was to assess the possible sequelae of acute leptospirosis after hospital discharge. METHODS: We report here a prospective study carried out in São Paulo, Brazil in which patients hospitalized for leptospirosis were followed in the outpatient setting. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were serially assessed: 32 severe and 15 mild cases. Early and late complications were not common in either group, but subjective complaints were common in the first few weeks after hospital discharge (53% of severe cases, 40% of mild cases). Two patients had continuing complaints: one had profound general malaise and the other developed new onset panic disorder. The sample analyzed represented 26% of the patients hospitalized with leptospirosis in the city of São Paulo during the study period. The duration of follow-up was an average of approximately 20 days at the first visit, and approximately 40 days at the second visit. Forty-seven patients came for one follow-up visit and 22 of the same patients had two follow-up visits. CONCLUSIONS: While two of 47 patients reported continuing symptoms after hospitalization for acute leptospirosis, no definitive, objective evidence of chronic sequelae due to this infection was proven. While preliminary, these observations point to the need for a prospective, rigorous and systematic study to definitively determine and characterize late complications and chronic disease after acute leptospirosis.
OBJECTIVE: The outcome of leptospirosis after the resolution of acute disease, either spontaneously or after treatment, is not well described. The aim of this study was to assess the possible sequelae of acute leptospirosis after hospital discharge. METHODS: We report here a prospective study carried out in São Paulo, Brazil in which patients hospitalized for leptospirosis were followed in the outpatient setting. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were serially assessed: 32 severe and 15 mild cases. Early and late complications were not common in either group, but subjective complaints were common in the first few weeks after hospital discharge (53% of severe cases, 40% of mild cases). Two patients had continuing complaints: one had profound general malaise and the other developed new onset panic disorder. The sample analyzed represented 26% of the patients hospitalized with leptospirosis in the city of São Paulo during the study period. The duration of follow-up was an average of approximately 20 days at the first visit, and approximately 40 days at the second visit. Forty-seven patients came for one follow-up visit and 22 of the same patients had two follow-up visits. CONCLUSIONS: While two of 47 patients reported continuing symptoms after hospitalization for acute leptospirosis, no definitive, objective evidence of chronic sequelae due to this infection was proven. While preliminary, these observations point to the need for a prospective, rigorous and systematic study to definitively determine and characterize late complications and chronic disease after acute leptospirosis.
Authors: Ajay R Bharti; Jarlath E Nally; Jessica N Ricaldi; Michael A Matthias; Monica M Diaz; Michael A Lovett; Paul N Levett; Robert H Gilman; Michael R Willig; Eduardo Gotuzzo; Joseph M Vinetz Journal: Lancet Infect Dis Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 25.071
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Authors: Megan E Reller; Elsio A Wunder; Jeremy J Miles; Judith E Flom; Orlando Mayorga; Christopher W Woods; Albert I Ko; J Stephen Dumler; Armando J Matute Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2014-07-24
Authors: Marga G A Goris; Vanessa Kikken; Masja Straetemans; Sandra Alba; Marco Goeijenbier; Eric C M van Gorp; Kimberly R Boer; Jiri F P Wagenaar; Rudy A Hartskeerl Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-10-03 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Rita M Traxler; Laura S Callinan; Robert C Holman; Claudia Steiner; Marta A Guerra Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2014-08 Impact factor: 6.883