Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
04:23

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease

Published on: April 28, 2019

Leptospirosis presenting as acute meningoencephalitis

Sanjeev Jha1, Mohd Khateebullah Ansari

  • 1Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP, India. drsjha@rediffmail.com

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|March 31, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease, is frequently under-diagnosed, particularly with neurological symptoms, leading to severe illness. Early consideration of leptospirosis is crucial for patients with hepato-renal, pulmonary, and nervous system involvement.

Area of Science:

  • Zoonotic diseases
  • Infectious diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Leptospirosis is a common zoonotic disease with potential for severe outcomes.
  • Neurological manifestations of leptospirosis are often overlooked, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
  • Patients with neurological symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed with other conditions like cerebral malaria or viral encephalitis.

Observation:

  • This case report details a patient with significant hepato-renal, pulmonary, and nervous system involvement.
  • The patient's complex presentation mimicked other serious illnesses, complicating the diagnostic process.
  • Diagnostic challenges were compounded by limited resources and diagnostic support.

Findings:

  • Leptospirosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with multi-system involvement, including neurological features.
  • Awareness of uncommon presentations of leptospirosis is vital for accurate and timely diagnosis.
  • Prompt recognition can prevent severe morbidity and mortality associated with under-diagnosed leptospirosis.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for leptospirosis in endemic areas, especially with atypical presentations.
  • Improved diagnostic strategies and awareness are needed to address the under-diagnosis of leptospirosis.
  • Considering leptospirosis in patients with hepato-renal, pulmonary, and neurological symptoms can lead to better patient outcomes.

More Related Videos

Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection05:55

Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection

Published on: May 7, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...