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A 23-year-old Man with Leptospirosis and Acute Abdominal Pain

Momal Mazhar1, Janet J Kao1, Dennis Thomas Bolger1

  • 1John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI.

Hawai'I Journal of Medicine & Public Health : a Journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health
|October 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Leptospirosis, a bacterial zoonosis, can cause severe Weil's disease. This case highlights leptospirosis-induced pancreatitis, a rare complication, emphasizing the need for clinical awareness in acute abdominal pain presentations.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by *Leptospira interrogans*.
  • While often mild, it can progress to severe multiorgan dysfunction, including Weil's disease.
  • Leptospirosis is endemic in regions like Hawai'i.

Observation:

  • A case of Weil's disease with pancreatitis in a young Caucasian man in Hawai'i is presented.
  • Pancreatitis is an uncommon manifestation of leptospirosis.
  • The patient presented with acute abdominal pain.

Findings:

  • The case illustrates a rare presentation of leptospirosis-induced pancreatitis.
  • This complication occurred in the context of severe leptospirosis (Weil's disease).
  • Early recognition of pancreatitis is crucial for appropriate management.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider pancreatitis in patients with leptospirosis and acute abdominal pain.
  • Increased awareness of this association may improve diagnostic accuracy.
  • This case contributes to understanding the diverse clinical spectrum of leptospirosis.
Keywords:
LeptospirosisWeil's diseaseacute abdominal painhyperbilirubinemiamultiorgan dysfunctionpancreatitis

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