Case Report: Relapsing Leptospirosis in an Immunocompromised Host

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2023 Aug 21;109(4):730-732. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0111. Print 2023 Oct 4.

Abstract

Leptospirosis is typically a self-limited febrile illness; when it occurs, meningitis usually develops early in the course. Here, we describe a patient who had engaged in freshwater activities in Kauai that was immunocompromised due to a history of mantle cell lymphoma, autologous hematopoietic cell transplant, and hypogammaglobulinemia. He developed leptospiral meningoencephalitis 11 weeks after illness onset and persistently detectable Leptospira DNA in blood and cerebrospinal fluid along with ongoing clinical illness, despite appropriate treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Leptospira* / genetics
  • Leptospirosis* / diagnosis
  • Leptospirosis* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local