[Leptospirosis. Review of 5 cases]

Five cases of leptospirosis diagnosed from 1978 to 1996 were retrospectively reviewed. The five patients were male and their mean age was 34.2 years. Epidemiologic factors were found in the 5 patients. The 3 common clinical findings: fever, myalgia and jaundice were found in the 5 patients. Hepatorenal involvement was observed in 4 cases (80%), bleeding episodes in 4 patients (80%), cardiac involvement in 4 (80%); in none case was observed central nervous system involvement. In one case (20%) was observed septic shock with acute respiratory failure. The Leptospira serogroups identified were icterohaemorrhagiae in 3 cases and could not be determined in 2. All the patients were amelioration with antibiotic therapeutic. The epidemiologic, clinical, analytical and therapeutic aspects are discussed.