Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
08:51
A Modular Workflow for Quantitative, Structural and Functional Analysis of Leptospira Biofilms
Published on: December 19, 2025
Facial palsy associated with leptospirosis
A El Bouazzaoui1, N Houari, A Arika
1Service de réanimation polyvalente A4, CHU Hassan II, BP 1835, Fès, Morocco. bouazzaoui79@hotmail.fr
Summary
This case study highlights a rare instance of facial palsy linked to leptospirosis. Prompt corticosteroid treatment led to a favorable outcome for the patient with this neurological complication.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection, can present with diverse neurological complications.
- Cranial nerve palsies, including facial palsy, are infrequently reported in leptospirosis cases.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old male patient with severe leptospirosis developed left peripheral facial palsy on the eighth day of hospitalization.
- The patient received corticosteroid therapy for the facial palsy.
Findings:
- The patient experienced a favorable clinical course following corticosteroid treatment for facial palsy.
- This case supports the association between leptospirosis and peripheral facial palsy.
Implications:
- Recognizing facial palsy as a potential neurological complication of leptospirosis is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms underlying leptospiral-induced cranial nerve palsies.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
01:22Botulism
Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...
01:28Rabies
Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...
01:29Tetanus
Tetanus is a life-threatening neurological disorder characterized by persistent muscle contractions and spastic paralysis. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, a motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe. These bacteria produce terminal endospores, giving them a distinctive “lollipop” or “tennis-racket” appearance. They thrive in anaerobic environments, such as those found in deep puncture wounds.Once introduced into the body, the spores germinate into vegetative cells. These cells...
01:26Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
01:22Bacterial 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...