Case of leptospirosis causing pancytopenia.

BMJ Case Rep

Department of General Medicine, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.

Published: January 2023

AI Article Synopsis

  • A young female landscaper presented with persistent fevers and a condition called pancytopenia, where blood cell counts are low, but initial tests couldn't find the cause.
  • Upon further investigation, her work with soil on farms with livestock led to testing for leptospirosis, which confirmed she was infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo.
  • After starting treatment for leptospirosis, her symptoms improved and her blood counts returned to normal, highlighting the importance of considering leptospirosis in patients with fever and low blood cell counts, especially with relevant exposure risks.

Article Abstract

We present the case of a young female landscaper who presented to an Australian tertiary hospital with persistent fevers and new pancytopenia. Extensive initial workup for her presenting illness did not identify a cause; however, a detailed history of her occupation revealed she worked heavily with soil on farms that had domestic livestock in addition to rodents. Hence, further serological testing for leptospirosis was performed, revealing a diagnosis of infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo. Treatment covering leptospirosis was commenced, and she improved clinically, and her cell counts returned to normal. Pancytopenia is a rare manifestation of leptospirosis and has only been reported in a handful of case studies. We highlight that leptospirosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in those with fever, and new pancytopaenia, particularly in patients with relevant risk factors for exposure.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9827182PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2022-251506DOI Listing

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