Pulmonary manifestations of leptospirosis

Lung India. 2012 Oct;29(4):347-53. doi: 10.4103/0970-2113.102822.

Abstract

Leptospirosis has a spectrum of presentation which ranges from mild disease to a severe form comprising of jaundice and renal failure. Involvement of the lung can vary from subtle clinical features to deadly pulmonary hemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Of late, it has been identified that leptospirosis can present atypically with predominant pulmonary manifestations. This can delay diagnosis making and hence optimum treatment. The purpose of this review is to bring together all the reported pulmonary manifestations of leptospirosis and the recent trends in the management.

Keywords: ARDS; diffuse alveolar hemorrhage; leptospirosis; pulmonary hemorrhage; pulmonary manifestations.