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Home / The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 2, Number 9

Pneumonia due to Leptospira spp.: results of an epidemiological and clinical study [Case Study]

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of Leptospira spp. infections in a population of in- and out-patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and the incidence of leptospiral pneumonia.

DESIGN AND RESULTS: Of 176 patients infected with CAP who were evaluated for the presence of Leptospira spp. as causative agent, 10 were found positive for leptospiral antibodies (prevalence rate: 5.7%), but seroconversion was observed in only one case (incidence rate: 0.6%). The patient had had recent contact with possibly contaminated water. She had pulmonary involvement and signs of mild hepatic damage, but recovered fully.

CONCLUSION: The authors highlight the importance of testing for leptospirosis in case of pneumonia in endemic areas where the more common causative pathogens for CAP can not be documented and when initial empiric therapy is ineffective.

Keywords: Leptospira spp; community acquired pneumonia; epidemiology

Document Type: Short Communication

Affiliations: 1: Unità Operativa Microbiologia Clinica, Bergamo, Italy 2: Unità Operativa di Pneumologia e Allergologia Respiratoria, USSL 29, Bergamo, Italy 3: Unità Operativa Pneumologia, Azienda Ospedaliera ‘Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo’, Bergamo, Italy 4: Centro per la Diagnosi delle leptospirosi, Unità Operativa Medico Tossicologica, Pavia, Italia

Publication date: 01 September 1998

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  • The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.

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