Leptospirosis classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Venkata Sivakrishna Kumar Pulivarthi M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

Leptospirosis is classified into anicteric and icteric form of leptospirosis based on the clinical presentation.

More common but serious illness is uncommon^[1]
Most of cases present either subclinical or of very mild severity.
Few cases present with a febrile illness of sudden onset.
Other symptoms include chills, headache (severe with retro-orbital pain and photophobia), myalgia, abdominal pain, conjunctival suffusion, and skin rash (transient and last < 24 hours)
May progress to aseptic meningitis in ≤ 25% of patients and more common in younger age group than the patients with icteric leptospirosis.
Mortality is very less when compared to icteric leptospirosis

Rapidly progressive and severe form of leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)
In the severe form of leptospirosis renal failure, hepatic failure and pulmonary hemorrhage can occur and associate with Icterohemorrhagiae.^[2]
Less common form of leptospirosis with incidence of 5%-10%.
Jaundice is not associate with hepatocellular injury, eventually LFT returns to normal after recovery.
High mortality rate with a range of 5%-15%.