Weil's Disease from a Local New Orleans Bar.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted through contaminated water or animal excreta.
• It commonly presents with fever, myalgias, nausea, and vomiting.
• Untreated, it can lead to severe liver and renal failure, meningitis, pulmonary hemorrhage, and death, particularly in regions like Louisiana (LA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight a case of severe leptospirosis presenting as multi-organ failure.
• To emphasize the importance of considering leptospirosis in patients with relevant exposures and symptoms.
• To underscore the role of occupational history in diagnosing infectious diseases.

Main Methods:

• A case study of a 56-year-old woman with sepsis and multi-organ failure.
• Clinical presentation, laboratory findings (elevated creatinine, bilirubin, thrombocytopenia), and treatment course were documented.
• Diagnosis was confirmed by positive Leptospirosis antibody testing after occupational exposure (cleaning rats) was identified.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with jaundice, decreased urine output, sepsis, and multi-organ failure, including acute kidney injury and liver dysfunction.
• Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, her condition worsened, requiring dialysis and management of respiratory distress and hemoptysis.
• Diagnosis of leptospirosis was confirmed, and treatment was adjusted, leading to a slow recovery.

Conclusions:

• Leptospirosis and Weil's Disease should be considered in patients in southeast LA presenting with multi-organ failure.
• Occupational exposure history is critical for timely diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.
• Average diagnosed cases in LA since 1987 are low, making this case significant for regional awareness.