Successful treatment of pulmonary hemorrhage associated with leptospirosis and scrub typhus coinfection by early plasma exchange.
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi
Journal Volume
106
Journal Issue
2 Suppl
Pages
S1-6
Date Issued
2007
Author(s)
Abstract
Leptospirosis and scrub typhus coinfections have been reported in up to 41% of agricultural workers with acute leptospirosis in Thailand, but only sporadically in Taiwan. Because of the nonspecific clinical presentations, it is difficult to differentiate patients with coinfections from leptospirosis alone. However, failure to identify coinfection may lead to mortality if inappropriate antibiotics are used. We report a 31-year-old man coinfected with leptospirosis and scrub typhus, which manifested as diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and acute renal failure mimicking pulmonary-renal syndrome. The patient was treated by early plasma exchange and a 7-day course of moxifloxacin therapy. Both pulmonary hemorrhage and hypoxemia resolved substantially on the 4th day of hospitalization. He had a complete recovery from the disease after 6 weeks of hospitalization.
SDGs
Type
journal article