[Serum nitric oxide as an additional criterion for evaluating the course of leptospirosis]

The blood level of nitric oxide (NO) was studied during an infectious process in 107 patients with leptospirosis. The content of NO was estimated from the level of the final stable nitrogen cycle metabolite--nitrite was estimated by the Griss reaction. Infectious toxic shock (57%), disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (31%), respiratory distress syndrome (36%), and acute renal and hepatic failure (76%) were observed in the examinees. A combination of 3-4 of the above abnormalities was noted in 49% of the patients. There were elevated blood nitrite levels at the onset of the disease in patients with leptospirosis with signs of infectious toxic shock (15.3+/-2.79 micromol/l). In patients with a poor or complicated rehabilitative period, the high levels of nitrite were retained or its concentration repeatedly increased at weeks 3-4 of the disease. It has been shown that the measurements of blood nitrite levels may be used as an additional diagnostic criterion for evaluating the course of leptospirosis.