Pulmonary haemorrhage in Weil's disease

Abstract

Leptospirosisis a zoonosis caused by spirochaetes from the species Leptospira The more severe form of leptospirosis, known as Weil's disease, is characterised by the triad of jaundice, renal impairment and haemorrhages. Pulmonary involvement occurs in 20%-70% of the patients, with severity ranging from non-productive cough to respiratory failure mainly due to pulmonary haemorrhage. Recognition of Weil's disease in patients presenting with pulmonary symptoms can be difficult. This case illustrates a classic case of pulmonary haemorrhagic involvement in Weil's disease.

Keywords: infectious diseases; respiratory medicine.