Paraplegia in Leptospirosis

ABSTRACT

Leptospirosis is an acute generalized infectious disease caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. The clinical forms of leptospirosis in Korea include asymptomatic form, influenza like form, pulmonary form, hepatic form, renal failure form, Weil's disease, and rash form. However, neurological involvement in leptospirosis is rare. We have recently experienced an interesting case of leptospirosis with flaccid paraplegia. A 73 year-old man presented with walking difficulty, voiding difficulty, fever, and myalgia for 10 days. A positive serologic test for leptospirosis was demonstrated by a passive haemagglutination test. An electrophysiological study showed evidence of denervation with minimal motor nerve conduction slowings, indicating an axonal degeneration. The weakness improved gradually after conservative treatment.