Paraplegia in Leptospirosis.
- Author:
Hyun Jeong LEE
1
;
Jin Woo YANG
;
Seung Hun OH
;
Woo Kyung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Yongdong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Leptospirosis;
paraplegia
- MeSH:
Aged;
Axons;
Communicable Diseases;
Denervation;
Exanthema;
Fever;
Humans;
Influenza, Human;
Korea;
Leptospira;
Leptospirosis*;
Myalgia;
Neural Conduction;
Paraplegia*;
Renal Insufficiency;
Serologic Tests;
Spirochaetales;
Walking;
Weil Disease
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
2000;18(5):676-678
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
