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Severe leptospirosis complicated with multiorgan dysfunction successfully managed with plasma exchange: a case report
Manana Dewage Sankani Vishvara Kularathna1, Senanayake Abeysinghe Mudiyanselage Kularatne2, Manoji Pathirage2
1Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. vishvarakularathna@gmail.com.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|December 14, 2021
Summary
Severe leptospirosis can cause multiorgan failure. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) offers a life-saving treatment option for patients with severe leptospirosis and organ damage.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira spirochetes, prevalent in tropical regions.
- It can range from subclinical infections to severe illness with high morbidity and mortality.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A case of a 77-year-old Sri Lankan man with severe leptospirosis is presented.
- The patient developed acute kidney injury, pulmonary hemorrhages, myocarditis, and severe thrombocytopenia.
- Initial treatment with antibiotics and steroids was insufficient.
Findings:
- The patient showed a dramatic improvement after undergoing two cycles of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE).
- TPE effectively managed the severe complications of leptospirosis.
- This highlights the potential efficacy of TPE in critical cases.
Implications:
- Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a potentially life-saving intervention for severe leptospirosis.
- TPE may be a critical treatment modality for patients with multiorgan failure due to leptospirosis.
- This case underscores the importance of considering advanced therapies in refractory severe infections.
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