Domestically Acquired Leptospirosis Complicated by Myocardial Involvement: A Case Report from Japan

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Cardiac involvement in leptospirosis can present similarly to viral myocarditis.
• Prompt recognition is essential for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of leptospirosis presenting with cardiac dysfunction.
• To emphasize the importance of considering leptospirosis in differential diagnoses of myocarditis.
• To highlight the role of cardiac function assessment in suspected leptospirosis.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 77-year-old male patient.
• Clinical presentation with flu-like symptoms and impaired cardiac function.
• Diagnostic workup including serological tests for leptospirosis.
• Treatment with antimicrobial therapy.

Main Results:

• Leptospirosis was diagnosed despite the absence of typical risk factors (overseas travel).
• The patient exhibited elevated inflammatory markers and reduced cardiac function.
• Antimicrobial therapy led to significant clinical improvement.
• Cardiac function assessment was vital for diagnosis and management.

Conclusions:

• Leptospirosis should be considered in patients with cardiac involvement mimicking viral myocarditis.
• Clinical suspicion and appropriate diagnostic evaluation are key.
• Early antimicrobial treatment improves outcomes in leptospirosis-associated cardiac dysfunction.