An unusual case of Weil's syndrome with paraparesis

• Published in: Indian journal of critical care medicine Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 130 - 133
• Main Authors: Patil, Virendra C, Patil, Harsha V, Sakaria, Amit, Tryambake, Satish
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications on behalf of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine 01.04.2011; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd; Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Acute renal failure; Care and treatment; Case Report; Case studies; Complications and side effects; Diagnosis; Leptospirosis; Paralysis; paraparesis; Risk factors; Weil′s syndrome; India; leptospirosis; paraparesis; Weil's syndrome; Acute renal failure
• ISSN: 0972-5229; 1998-359X
• DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.83014

Leptospirosis is an important emerging zoonosis with a worldwide distribution that is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from inapparent infection to fulminant disease. Leptospirosis has protean clinical manifestations. The classical presentation of the disease is an acute biphasic febrile illness with or without jaundice. Unusual clinical manifestations may result from involvement of pulmonary, cardiovascular, neural, gastrointestinal, ocular and other systems. Immunological phenomena secondary to antigenic mimicry may also be an important component of many clinical features and may be responsible for reactive arthritis. The presentation of paraparesis in combination with Weil′s syndrome is rare. Few cases were reported with leptospirosis and paraparesis in India and abroad. It is important to bear in mind that leptospiral illness may be a significant component in cases of dual infections or in simultaneous infections with more than two pathogens. Here we are reporting a case of Weil′s syndrome with paraparesis in 28-year-old male patient who was critically ill due to severe hepatorenal dysfunction and hyperkalemia.