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Updated: May 20, 2026
08:25
Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
Published on: April 7, 2015
Cardiac involvement in leptospirosis
Mitrakrishnan Rayno Navinan1, Senaka Rajapakse
1National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Regent Street, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka.
Summary
Cardiac involvement in leptospirosis is poorly understood, though electrocardiographic changes and myocardial inflammation are common in severe cases. Further research is needed to clarify pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment for this neglected global disease.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Global Health
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a neglected global disease causing significant morbidity and mortality.
- Cardiac complications are reported in severe leptospirosis but are under-recognized and poorly understood.
- Diagnostic confusion arises from multiple factors contributing to cardiac manifestation symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of cardiac involvement in leptospirosis.
- To highlight the frequency, clinical features, and pathophysiology of cardiac complications.
- To identify gaps in knowledge regarding diagnosis and management.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on leptospirosis and cardiac manifestations.
- Analysis of reported electrocardiographic and histopathological findings.
- Discussion of potential pathophysiological mechanisms and diagnostic challenges.
Main Results:
- Common electrocardiographic changes include atrial fibrillation, conduction blocks, and repolarization abnormalities.
- Histopathological studies show myocardial inflammation and vasculitis in postmortem cases.
- Cardiac involvement, when evident, is associated with a poorer prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Direct myocardial damage likely occurs in severe leptospirosis.
- Pathophysiology, clinical spectrum, and prognostic impact of cardiac involvement require further investigation.
- Development of specific diagnostic tools and therapies for cardiac leptospirosis is needed.
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