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Pericarditis as a cardiac manifestation of acute leptospirosis

M Zechel1, M Franz2, M Baier3

  • 1Institute for Infection Diseases and Infection Control, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany. maria.zechel@med.uni-jena.de.

Infection
|August 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Leptospirosis, an infectious disease, can cause heart inflammation like pericarditis. This case report highlights a runner diagnosed with acute leptospirosis after experiencing cardiac symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Leptospirosis is a globally increasing zoonotic infection with diverse clinical manifestations.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing leptospirosis complications.
  • Unspecific symptoms can delay diagnosis, necessitating a broad differential diagnosis.

Observation:

  • A 32-year-old male presented with ST segment elevation on electrocardiogram.
  • Symptoms appeared approximately 14 days after participating in cross-country running.
  • Initial presentation mimicked acute cardiac events.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with pericarditis.
  • Serological tests confirmed an acute leptospirosis infection.
  • The cardiac condition was directly linked to leptospirosis.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering infectious etiologies, such as leptospirosis, in patients with unexplained cardiac symptoms.
  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for leptospirosis in individuals with relevant exposure history, including outdoor activities.
  • Prompt recognition and management of leptospirosis can prevent severe complications and improve patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Infectious diseaseLeptospirosisPericarditisTriathletesZoonosis

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