Respiratory failure in leptospirosis (Weil's disease)

Two patients with leptospirosis (Weil's disease), with acute respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation, are described. Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in one patient and profuse pulmonary bleeding in the other were the respective causes of respiratory failure. One patient died after developing the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), the other patient recovered completely. Respiratory failure is an uncommon complication of leptospirosis and is due to severe pulmonary bleeding and/or ARDS.