Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of the severe pulmonary form of leptospirosis



Document title: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of the severe pulmonary form of leptospirosis
Journal: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
Database: PERIÓDICA
System number: 000282253
ISSN: 0037-8682
Authors: 1



2
Institutions: 1Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Medicina, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro. Brasil
2Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Hospital Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro. Brasil
Year:
Season: Jul-Ago
Volumen: 35
Number: 4
Pages: 395-399
Country: Brasil
Language: Inglés
Document type: Artículo
Approach: Caso clínico, descriptivo
English abstract Four cases of severe pulmonary form of leptospirosis (SPFL) are described. In all four of these blood culture proven cases, there was severe pulmonary injury characterized by alveolar hemorrhage and acute respiratory failure. Three patients died in less than 48 hours after onset of the first respiratory signs. Leptospiral antigen detection in lung tissues was positive by immunoperoxidase in all three of these cases, suggesting that the microorganism exerts a local direct destructive action. Patients with SPFL should be carefully monitored, as the abrupt onset of severe alveolar hemorrhage can lead to respiratory insufficiency and death. The authors emphasize the importance of radiological findings and blood gas analysis for prompt clinical diagnosis, and suggest that corticosteroids, associated with antibiotics, early respiratory support, and platelet transfusions are useful as an attempt to prevent further development of SPFL
Portuguese abstract São descritos quatro casos da forma pulmonar grave da leptospirose (FPGL). Nestes quatro casos confirmados por hemocultura, observou-se grave acometimento pulmonar, caracterizado por hemorragia alveolar e insuficiência respiratória aguda. Três pacientes evoluíram para o óbito em menos de 48 horas após a instalação do quadro respiratório. A detecção por imunoperoxidase de antígenos de leptospira no tecido pulmonar foi positiva nestes três pacientes, sugerindo ação lesiva direta deste microrganismo. Os autores destacam a importância do diagnóstico clínico precoce, baseado nos achados radiológicos e de gasometria arterial, e sugerem que os corticosteróides, associados à antibioterapia, à assistência ventilatória precoce e à transfusão de plaquetas, são úteis na tentativa de impedir a instalação de grave hemorragia alveolar seguida de insuficiência respiratória e morte
Disciplines: Biología,
Medicina
Keyword: Parasitología,
Neumología,
Leptospirosis,
Hemorragia,
Pulmones,
Enfermedad de Weil,
Inmunohistoquímica,
Medicina clínica
Keyword: Biology,
Medicine,
Parasitology,
Pneumology,
Hemorrhage,
Lungs,
Leptospirosis,
Weil disease,
Immunohistochemistry,
Clinical medicine
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