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Weil's disease: report of 12 cases
H Leblebicioglu1, I Sencan, M Sünbül
1Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School, Samsun, Turkey.
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Weil's disease, a severe form of leptospirosis, predominantly affects male farmers in rural Turkey. Early diagnosis and penicillin treatment improve outcomes, though mortality remains a risk.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Weil's disease, a severe manifestation of leptospirosis, presents unique epidemiological patterns and clinical signs.
- Understanding these features is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiological distribution and clinical characteristics of 12 Weil's disease cases in Turkey.
- To highlight diagnostic markers and therapeutic outcomes for this severe infection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 12 confirmed Weil's disease cases.
- Clinical data collection including symptoms, laboratory findings, and diagnostic test results.
- Microscopic agglutination test (MAT), ELISA, and dark-field microscopy were utilized for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- The disease predominantly affected male farmers from rural areas.
- Myalgia and jaundice were universal; vomiting, hemorrhages, and renal impairment were common.
- Leptospires were detected in blood and urine; IgM antibodies confirmed acute infection in 92% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Weil's disease is a severe, potentially fatal illness requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- IgM antibodies are a reliable marker for acute leptospirosis.
- Penicillin therapy led to favorable outcomes in most cases, but vigilance is essential due to mortality risk.