[Acute renal failure in leptospirosis (with a report on the differential diagnosis of leptospirosis sejrö and leptospirosis icterohaemorrhagica)].
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In this second part of our study a search for cases of acute leptospirosis among hospital patients is described. Of 88 suspected cases of acute leptospirosis, four were confirmed serologically. Of 102 patients with jaundice occurring in a period in which maximal transmission of leptospires could be expected, current leptospirosis was confirmed in one and suspected in another patient. The high prevalence of antibodies against leptospires of different serogroups, described in the first part of the study, is in contrast with the low frequency of acute leptospirosis among hospital patients in the same area. This indicates that most cases of acute leptospirosis do not have a reason for seeking hospital care. A new serovar was isolated, for which the name agogo, reference strain Agogo, serogroup Djasiman, is proposed.
BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis has, traditionally, been considered a sporadic rural disease. We describe a large urban outbreak of leptospirosis. METHODS: Active surveillance for leptospirosis was established in an infectious-disease referral hospital in Salvador, Brazil, between March 10 and Nov 2, 1996. Patients meeting case criteria for severe manifestations of leptospirosis were recruited into the study. The diagnosis was confirmed in the laboratory with the microagglutination test and identification of leptospires in blood or urine. Risk factors for death were examined by multivariate analyses. FINDINGS: Surveillance identified 326 cases of which 193 (59%) were laboratory-confirmed (133) or probable (60) cases. Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni was isolated from 87% of the cases with positive blood cultures. Most of the cases were adult (mean age 35.9 years [SD 15.9]), and 80% were male. Complications included jaundice (91%), oliguria (35%), and severe anaemia (26%). 50 cases died (case-fatality rate 15%) despite aggressive supportive care including dialysis (in 23%). Altered mental status was the strongest independent predictor of death (odds ratio 9.12 [95% CI 4.28-20.3]), age over 37 years, renal insufficiency, and respiratory insufficiency were also significant predictors of death. Before admission to hospital, 42% were misdiagnosed as having dengue fever in the outpatient clinic; an outbreak of dengue fever was taking place concurrently. INTERPRETATION: An epidemic of leptospirosis has become a major urban health problem, associated with high mortality. Diagnostic confusion with dengue fever, another emerging infectious disease with a similar geographic distribution, prevents timely intervention that could minimise mortality.
Four hundred and five serum samples were drawn from cows with reproductive problems which were not vaccinated against leptospirosis from 21 dairy farms. Three distinct geographic regions were determined and the farms were also classified considering the production system, based on technological, zootechnical and sanitary resources. A total of 277 positive reactions were observed, corresponding to 68.39% of the samples. The predominant serovar was hardjo, reactive on 85 samples (20.98%), predominant on nine farms and observed on 17 farms (80.95%). It was observed the predominance of hardjo in all studied regions and on properties classified as type "A" (22 samples) and type "B" (49 samples). The role of this serovar on bovine leptospirosis in Brazil compared with other countries is discussed.
The findings of the study of immunological structure of the population in regions endemic for leptospirosis indicate that the immune status of humans makes it impossible to obtain titrated blood sera for the preparation of antileptospirosis immunoglobulin. The data obtained in the study of the immunobiological properties of a new concentrated vaccine against icterohemorrhagic leptospirosis show the possibility of using this vaccine for the immunization of donors with the aim of obtaining blood sera to be used as raw material for the production of immunobiological preparations.
In experimental infections of guinea pigs with a virulent strain of Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae widespread hemorrhages were observed. Thrombocytopenia, prolongation of prothrombin, thrombin, partial thromboplastin and coagulation times, decrease of plasma fibrinogen, factor V, factor VIII and the presence of fibrinogen degradation products were demonstrated. Treatment of infected guinea pigs with heparin prolonged life for two to three days. The histological observations revealed that the main lesion is a severe injury of the vasculature, mainly arteries, arterioles and capillaries. Most of the endothelial cells are affected or destroyed and the muscular fibers of arteries and arterioles are injured. With Martius-Scarlet-Blue, Weigert or Picro-Mallory stains it was demonstrated that the organization seen in the vessels is not all made of fibrin. The conclusion reached was that the hemorrhages observed in experimental leptospirosis in guines pigs are due to disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Different mechanisms responsible for the appearance of jaundice in leptospirosis caused by Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae in guinea pigs were discussed. Hepatocellular damage was demonstrated with the presence to a lesser extent of intrahepatic biliary obstruction. A massive destruction of extravascular red blood cells liberated by the hemorrhagic diathesis, appeared to be the main cause in the genesis of jaundice. The latter was inhibited following the neutralization of the reticuloendothelial system of guinea pigs by an irradiation before the infection.
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