Weil’s disease in an urban setting : a case report

• Author(s): Carragosela, Ricardo Alexandre Davide
• Date: 2015
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10451/26044
• Origin: Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
• Subject(s): Leptospirose; Doença de Weil; Icterícia febril aguda; lesão renal aguda
• Document Type: Master thesis
• Language: English
• Contributor(s): Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto da ULisboa; Oliveira, Anabela Furtado Mendes de

Description

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease with a broad and nonspecific clinical presentation. The milder form usually expresses as subclinical and self-limited anicteric febrile illness and full recovery is the rule. However, a much less common but life-threating form - known as Weil’s disease – typically presents as fever, jaundice and renal failure and was first described by Weil in 1886. In 1915, the causative agent of Weil’s disease was finally internationally announced as being Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae. A century after its discovery, much more is known about Weil's disease agent, pathogenesis and treatment. Even so, leptospirosis still comes to international attention as a globally important re-emerging infectious disease. I report a case of Weil’s disease in an urban area presenting as fever, jaundice and progressive leg weakness, complicating with acute pancreatitis and impaired kidney function. Renal replacement therapy and transfusion support were eventually required.