Leptospirosis meningitis transmission from a pet mouse: a case report
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Chronic Salmonella Infected Mouse Model
Published on: May 31, 2010
Anne Christine Nordholm1, Lars Haukali Omland2, Steen Villumsen2
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. anne.christine.nordholm@regionh.dk.
Background:
Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonosis with a worldwide distribution and a wide range of clinical manifestations. We report a case of leptospirosis meningitis in a previously healthy woman infected by her pet mouse.
Case Presentation:
A 27-year-old Caucasian woman with pet mice presented to our institute with a 1 week history of fever, headache, myalgia, vomiting, diarrhea, and dark urine. Her admission examination revealed neck stiffness, conjunctivitis, and icteric sclera. Her liver enzymes, bilirubin, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein were elevated. Her cerebrospinal fluid showed an elevated white blood cell count. Polymerase chain reactions using her cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and urine showed negative results for leptospirosis, but the result of her microagglutination test was positive for Leptospira interrogans serovar sejroe with a more than threefold increase in paired sera. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone for 1 week, and her condition steadily improved.
Conclusions:
This case report raises awareness of pet rodents as sources of leptospirosis. Leptospirosis meningitis should be considered in patients with meningeal symptoms and pet rodents.
Insights
Leptospirosis meningitis can be caused by pet mice. This case highlights the importance of considering zoonotic diseases in patients with meningeal symptoms, even with common household pets.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic diseases
- Infectious diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonotic disease with global distribution.
- It presents with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Pet rodents can be potential sources of infection.
Observation:
- A previously healthy woman with pet mice developed fever, headache, and jaundice.
- Clinical examination revealed neck stiffness, conjunctivitis, and icterus.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed elevated white blood cells.
Findings:
- Polymerase chain reaction tests for leptospirosis were negative.
- Microagglutination test confirmed Leptospira interrogans serovar sejroe infection.
- Patient successfully treated with ceftriaxone.
Implications:
- Pet rodents pose a risk for leptospirosis transmission.
- Leptospirosis meningitis should be considered in patients with meningeal symptoms and rodent exposure.
- This case emphasizes zoonotic disease awareness in clinical practice.
More Related Videos
08:23Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
12:21A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness
Published on: September 28, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:28Rabies
01:28Toxoplasmosis