Adult respiratory distress syndrome in leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae infection.

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our Intensive Care Unit with symptoms and signs of Weil's disease. Respiratory failure developed. Radiological and haemodynamic features were consistent with the adult respiratory distress syndrome. The patient recovered after mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure. This case confirms that the adult respiratory distress syndrome may occur in leptospirosis.