Leptospirosis - an under-diagnosed clinical condition

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by leptospiral spirochaete. Two cases in children are described presenting with hepatorenal dysfunction.     

An unusual case of Weil's syndrome with paraparesis

Leptospirosis is an important emerging zoonosis with a worldwide distribution that is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from inapparent infection to fulminant disease. Leptospirosis has protean clinical manifestations. The classical presentation of the disease is an acute biphasic febrile illness with or without jaundice. Unusual clinical manifestations may result from involvement of pulmonary, cardiovascular, neural, gastrointestinal, ocular and other systems. Immunological phenomena secondary to antigenic mimicry may also be an important component of many clinical features and may be responsible for reactive arthritis. The presentation of paraparesis in combination with Weil''s syndrome is rare. Few cases were reported with leptospirosis and paraparesis in India and abroad. It is important to bear in mind that leptospiral illness may be a significant component in cases of dual infections or in simultaneous infections with more than two pathogens. Here we are reporting a case of Weil''s syndrome with paraparesis in 28-year-old male patient who was critically ill due to severe hepatorenal dysfunction and hyperkalemia.     

Plasma endothelin immunoreactivity in liver disease and the hepatorenal syndrome.

BACKGROUND. Severe renal vasoconstriction is central to the pathogenesis of renal failure in the hepatorenal syndrome. Endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 are potent, long-acting vasoconstrictors, and endothelin-1 has selective potency as a renal vasoconstrictor. These properties suggest a role for endothelins in the hepatorenal syndrome. METHODS. We measured plasma endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 concentrations using specific radioimmunoassays in subjects with hepatorenal syndrome, liver disease but normal renal function, chronic renal failure, acute renal failure, liver dysfunction and renal impairment, or normal liver and kidney function. RESULTS. The patients with the hepatorenal syndrome had markedly elevated mean (+/- SE) plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 (36 +/- 5 ng per liter [14.5 +/- 1.8 pmol per liter]) and endothelin-3 (43 +/- 3 ng per liter [16.3 +/- 1.0 pmol per liter]) as compared with the normal subjects (endothelin-1, 4 +/- 1 ng per liter [1.7 +/- 0.2 pmol per liter]; and endothelin-3, 18 +/- 1 ng per liter [6.8 +/- 0.4 pmol per liter]; P < 0.001) and with the patients in the other four groups (P < 0.001 to P < 0.05). The plasma endothelin-1, but not endothelin-3, concentrations in these four patient groups were significantly higher than in the normal subjects (P < 0.001 to P < 0.05). The concentrations of endothelin-1 in renal arterial plasma and renal venous plasma, measured in five patients with the hepatorenal syndrome and three with chronic liver disease and normal renal function, were 20 +/- 4 ng per liter (7.9 +/- 1.8 pmol per liter) and 24 +/- 4 ng per liter (9.5 +/- 1.5 pmol per liter), respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. The increase in plasma endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 concentrations in patients with the hepatorenal syndrome is consistent with the hypothesis that these substances have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.     

Leptospirosis in pregnancy

Leptospirosis is a direct zoonotic disease caused by spirochetes belonging to the genus Leptospira. Many animals act as carriers or vectors. Human infection results from accidental contact with carrier animals or environment contaminated with animal urine containing the organism. Epidemics of leptospirosis result from poor sanitation in urban areas and are aggravated following natural calamities. The majority of leptospiral infections are either subclinical or result in very mild illness and patients recover without complications. In a few cases it may manifest as multiorgan failure where the mortality can go up to 40%. Infection in pregnant women may be grave leading to severe fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The presentation may mimic other viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, acute fatty liver, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and HELLP syndrome. Owing to the unusual presentation, leptospirosis in pregnancy is often misdiagnosed and under-reported. Preventive public education regarding hygiene, personal practices, source reduction, environmental sanitation, early diagnosis, and treatment of the condition are needed to avoid perinatal and maternal mortality.     

Leptospirosis in children of Libreville: difficult diagnosis, apropos of 1 case

Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis, which is diagnosed less frequently in children than might be expected from the level of exposure to hazards, especially in tropical areas. A 15 1/2-year-old Gabonese boy was admitted following five days of fever, headache, myalgia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, jaundice and conjunctival suffusion. Laboratory data showed abnormal liver and renal function tests, and diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria was confirmed by thin blood smear. The patient did not clinically improve despite antimalarial treatment and then leptospirosis was suspected. Serologic tests were performed and leptospirosis was later confirmed. Antibiotic treatment (cefuroxim) was given. The outcome was good, liver and renal tests returned to normal in a few days. In tropical area, leptospirosis should be considered in children who are diagnosed with either an unexplained fever, a pseudo-influenza syndrome, or jaundice with hepatorenal involvement and gastrointestinal bleeding.     

Potential Benefit of Plasma Exchange in Treatment of Severe Icteric Leptospirosis Complicated by Acute Renal Failure

Leptospirosis is a common zoonosis seen worldwide, but it is rare in our locality (Hong Kong). Clinical manifestations of leptospirosis are variable and may range from subclinical infection to fever, jaundice, hemorrhagic tendency, and fulminant hepato-renal failure. Severe hyperbilirubinemia and acute renal failure have been associated with high mortality. We report our experience with a patient who developed severe Weil's syndrome with marked conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and oliguric acute renal failure. These complications persisted despite treatment with penicillin and hemodiafiltration. Plasma exchange was instituted in view of the severe hyperbilirubinemia (970 μmol/liter). This was followed by prompt clinical improvement, with recovery of liver and renal function. The beneficial effects of plasma exchange could be attributed to amelioration of the toxic effects of hyperbilirubinemia on hepatocyte and renal tubular cell function. We conclude that plasma exchange should be considered as an adjunctive therapy for patients with severe icteric leptospirosis complicated by acute renal failure who have not shown rapid clinical response to conventional treatment.     

Development of Severe Pathology in Immunized Pregnant Mice Challenged with Lethal Malaria Parasites

Pregnant women are highly susceptible to malaria infection because of their low immunity and are at increased risk of maternal illness or death, in addition to spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery, and low birth weight. However, the detailed pathogenesis of maternal malaria remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated a mouse model that shows similar severe pathological features of pregnant women during Plasmodium falciparum infection and investigated the pathogenesis of maternal malaria. Pregnant mice immunized by infection with an attenuated parasite, Plasmodium berghei XAT, were more susceptible to virulent P. berghei NK65 challenge/infection than were nonpregnant mice and showed high levels of parasitemia and a poor pregnancy outcome associated with placental pathology, such as accumulation of parasitized red blood cells, in the late phase of pregnancy. Notably, the pregnant immune mice challenged/infected with P. berghei NK65 developed liver injury associated with microvesicular fatty infiltration in late pregnancy. The pathological features were similar to acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Higher levels of gamma interferon and nitric oxide (NO) were found in plasma from pregnant immune mice infected with P. berghei NK65 than in plasma from nonpregnant mice. These findings suggest that development of liver injury and placental pathology in pregnant immune mice challenged/infected with P. berghei NK65 is accompanied by enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines.     

Potential benefit of plasma exchange in treatment of severe icteric leptospirosis complicated by acute renal failure

Leptospirosis is a common zoonosis seen worldwide, but it is rare in our locality (Hong Kong). Clinical manifestations of leptospirosis are variable and may range from subclinical infection to fever, jaundice, hemorrhagic tendency, and fulminant hepato-renal failure. Severe hyperbilirubinemia and acute renal failure have been associated with high mortality. We report our experience with a patient who developed severe Weil's syndrome with marked conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and oliguric acute renal failure. These complications persisted despite treatment with penicillin and hemodiafiltration. Plasma exchange was instituted in view of the severe hyperbilirubinemia (970 micromol/liter). This was followed by prompt clinical improvement, with recovery of liver and renal function. The beneficial effects of plasma exchange could be attributed to amelioration of the toxic effects of hyperbilirubinemia on hepatocyte and renal tubular cell function. We conclude that plasma exchange should be considered as an adjunctive therapy for patients with severe icteric leptospirosis complicated by acute renal failure who have not shown rapid clinical response to conventional treatment.     

New clues to the pathophysiology of hepatorenal failure

Summary In patients with advanced liver disease, decreases in renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and urinary output are frequently observed. The deterioration in renal function is usually not due to a unique cause but is the result of the concerted action of several mechanisms operating in parallel; decreased plasma protein formation and increased intrahepatic vascular resistance lead to sequestration of blood volume, favoring hypovolemia and reduction in cardiac output. At the same time enhanced formation of nitroxide leads to peripheral vasodilation; bacterial endotoxin escaping clearance by the diseased liver stimulates the expression of a long-acting nitroxide synthase. Furthermore, vasodilating intestinal mediators such as substance P escape inactivation by the liver. In the face of peripheral vasodilation the maintenance of blood pressure requires an increase in cardiac output, which is achieved by activation of sympathetic nervous tone, renal vasoconstriction, enhanced release of renin, angiotensin, aldosterone, and antidiuretic hormone, leading to renal retention of sodium and water. Renal vasoconstriction is opposed by vasodilatatory prostaglandins, and renal failure may be triggered by inhibition of prostaglandin formation. On the other hand, vasoconstrictive eicosanoids, such as thromboxane B₂ and leukotriene E₂, which escape hepatic inactivation, may contribute to renal vasoconstriction. Beyond these mechanisms disturbed hepatic regulation of renal function may participate in the generation of hepatorenal syndrome. The liver regulates renal function via both a hepatorenal reflex decreasing renal blood flow and a hypothetical liver-borne diuretic factor increasing renal blood flow. Both enhanced hepatorenal reflex activity and decreased formation of the liver-borne diuretic factor could participate in the pathogenesis of hepatorenal syndrome.Abbreviations GFR glomerular filtration rate - LBDF liverborne diuretic factor Dedicated to Prof. Dr. N. Zöllner on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Pathogenic Leptospira interrogans Exoproteins Are Primarily Involved in Heterotrophic Processes

Leptospirosis is a life-threatening and emerging zoonotic disease with a worldwide annual occurrence of more than 1 million cases. Leptospirosis is caused by spirochetes belonging to the genus Leptospira. The mechanisms of disease manifestation in the host remain elusive, and the roles of leptospiral exoproteins in these processes have yet to be determined. Our aim in this study was to assess the composition and quantity of exoproteins of pathogenic Leptospira interrogans and to construe how these proteins contribute to disease pathogenesis. Label-free quantitative mass spectrometry of proteins obtained from Leptospira spirochetes cultured in vitro under conditions mimicking infection identified 325 exoproteins. The majority of these proteins are conserved in the nonpathogenic species Leptospira biflexa, and proteins involved in metabolism and energy-generating functions were overrepresented and displayed the highest relative abundance in culture supernatants. Conversely, proteins of unknown function, which represent the majority of pathogen-specific proteins (presumably involved in virulence mechanisms), were underrepresented. Characterization of various L. interrogans exoprotein mutants in the animal infection model revealed host mortality rates similar to those of hosts infected with wild-type L. interrogans. Collectively, these results indicate that pathogenic Leptospira exoproteins primarily function in heterotrophic processes (the processes by which organisms utilize organic substances as nutrient sources) to maintain the saprophytic lifestyle rather than the virulence of the bacteria. The underrepresentation of proteins homologous to known virulence factors, such as toxins and effectors in the exoproteome, also suggests that disease manifesting from Leptospira infection is likely caused by a combination of the primary and potentially moonlight functioning of exoproteins.     

急性胰腺炎对肝衰竭预后的影响

目的研究胰腺炎对肝衰竭患者血细胞、肝肾功能及预后的影响。方法以肝衰竭并发急性胰腺炎病例为研究组,回顾性分析并发胰腺炎前后血常规、肝肾功能变化情况,随机抽取同时期非并发胰腺炎的肝衰竭患者为对照组,分析两组严重并发症的发生率及病死率。结果发生急性胰腺炎后红细胞及血红蛋白明显下降（t=4.088,P=0.000;t=3.419,P=0.002）,血清总胆红素明显升高（t=2.063,P=0.048）,出现明显的肾功能损害,血清尿素氮、肌酐明显升高（t=3.172,P=0.004;t=3.183,P=0.004）,发生急性胰腺炎增加了肝肾综合征的发生率（39.4%vs3.0%,t=13.055,P=0.000）,以及病死率（69.7%vs42.4%,t=4.982,P=0.026）。结论肝衰竭并发急性胰腺炎使得病情严重,易发生肝肾综合征,病死率增高。     

Leptospiral Infections in Humans

Leptospirosis is a globally widespread spirochetal infection spread from animals to humans. Infections are common in settings of endemicity, primarily in tropical regions of the world. Leptospirosis is typically a self-limited febrile illness but may progress to potentially fatal multiorgan system failure. Patients often present with a nonspecific acute febrile illness that is clinically difficult to distinguish from other similarly presenting infections endemic to tropical regions, including dengue fever, influenza, and malaria. A high index of suspicion is essential to early identification of patients who may benefit from antimicrobial therapy. Diagnostic testing is key to both recognition of early infection and outbreak investigation, typically in the setting of water exposure after heavy rainfall and flooding. This review focuses on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis, including nucleic acid amplification tests, culture, direct detection, and serological approaches.     

Loss of intrahepatic bile ducts: an important feature of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is a rare, fatal disorder of early infancy. We report two siblings with FHL whose symptoms were dominated by hepatic failure. Both presented with sudden-onset fever and hepatosplenomegaly with progressive abnormalities of clinical biochemistry indices of liver function. One died of hepatorenal failure. The other underwent liver transplantation. Autopsy and explant liver displayed portal and periportal infiltrates of T lymphocytes and histiocytes; an activation of the hepatic mononuclear phagocytic system with focal hemophagocytosis; and almost complete loss of interlobular bile ducts. Paucity of bile ducts dominated in a pre-transplant liver biopsy specimen (and transiently obscured the diagnosis of FHL). Disease recurred in the allograft, again with lymphohistiocytic infiltration and destruction of interlobular bile ducts. Consequently the patient underwent haploidentical peripheral stem cell transplantation. This patient is alive 5 years later. Loss of bile ducts may be an important feature of hepatic involvement by FHL.     

Does high viral load of hepatitis E virus influence the severity and prognosis of acute liver failure during pregnancy?

The incidence and mortality in pregnant women with acute liver failure caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) is high. Data on the viral load of HEV during pregnancy are limited. The study was designed to determine the viral load of HEV and its association with the disease severity in patients with acute liver failure. A total of HEV related 163 patients with acute liver failure which included 105 pregnant, 46 non‐pregnant women and girls and 12 men and 730 patients with acute viral hepatitis which comprised of 220 pregnant women; 282 non‐pregnant women and girls and 228 men were included. Viral load was measured by real‐time PCR. Comparison was made between the pregnant and non‐pregnant women. HEV RNA was detectable in 265 patients (142 pregnant; 75 non‐pregnant and 48 men) and 104 patients with acute liver failure (64 pregnant, 34 non‐pregnant and 6 men). The viral load of HEV in pregnant women with acute liver failure and acute viral hepatitis was significantly higher 129,984.0 ± 103,104.17 and 768.92 ± 1,105.40 copies/ml, respectively compared to the non‐pregnant women which was 189.2 ± 225 and 12.73 ± 7.8 copies/ml (P < 0.0001). The viral load of HEV was also significantly higher in the pregnant patients with acute liver failure compared to the pregnant women with acute viral hepatitis and also men (P < 0.0001). High viral load of HEV during pregnancy could be one of the factors responsible for the severity of the infection during pregnancy. J. Med. Virol. 85:620–626, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

肝肾联合移植的适应证及时机

背景：肝肾联合移植以来,肾功能不全甚至肾功能衰竭已不再是肝脏移植的禁忌症。 目的：探寻肝肾联合移植适应证及移植时机,以利合理应用稀缺的实体器官供体。 方法：收集接受肝肾联合移植患者15例,回顾性分析其移植前状态与移植后移植肾及原肾恢复情况间的状态。 结果与结论：入组15例肝肾联合移植患者均手术顺利,至今存活,随访1.5-8(3.6±1.2)年。入组患者中出现移植肾功能延迟恢复1例,行床旁连续性肾脏替代治疗治疗2周后肾功能逐渐恢复;1例移植前行连续性肾脏替代治疗治疗 4周的肝肾综合征患者,移植后2个月行肾图检查提示原肾功能恢复正常;另2例移植前连续性肾脏替代治疗超过6周的肝肾综合征患者,移植后行肾图提示原肾功能未恢复;伴有原发肾病的终末期肝病患者移植前24 h尿蛋白> 500 mg、肾小球滤过率< 30 mL/min或经穿刺活检证实肾小球硬化率> 30%,肝肾联合移植后行肾图提示原肾逐渐失功。移植前行连续性肾脏替代治疗治疗超过6周的肝肾综合征患者,需施行肝肾联合移植;移植前伴有原发肾病的终末期肝病患者,如果24 h尿蛋白> 500 mg、肾小球滤过率< 30 mL/min或经活检证实肾小球硬化率> 30%,需施行肝肾联合移植。     

Parvovirus B19 Genotype Specific Amino Acid Substitution in NS1 Reduces the Protein's Cytotoxicity in Culture

A clinical association between idiopathic liver disease and parvovirus B19 infection has been observed. Fulminant liver failure, not associated with other liver-tropic viruses, has been attributed to B19 in numerous reports, suggesting a possible role for B19 components in the extensive hepatocyte cytotoxicity observed in this condition. A recent report by Abe and colleagues (Int J Med Sci. 2007;4:105-9) demonstrated a link between persistent parvovirus B19 genotype I and III infection and fulminant liver failure. The genetic analysis of isolates obtained from these patients demonstrated a conservation of key amino acids in the nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) of the disease-associated genotypes. In this report we examine a conserved residue identified by Abe and colleagues and show that substitution of isoleucine 181 for methionine, as occurs in B19 genotype II, results in the reduction of B19 NS1-induced cytotoxicity of liver cells. Our results support the hypothesis that in the setting of persistent B19 infection, direct B19 NS1-induced cytotoxicity may play a role in idiopathic fulminant liver failure.     

Sensenbrenner syndrome: a new member of the hepatorenal fibrocystic family

Cranioectodermal dysplasia (CED, Sensenbrenner syndrome; OMIM #218330) is an autosomal recessive disorder reported only in 15 cases, which is characterized by dolichocephaly, rhizomelic dwarfism, dental and nail dysplasia, and progressive tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN) leading to end-stage renal failure. Herein, we describe a new patient with cranio-ectodermal dysplasia. Unlike previously reported cases, this 4-year-old child presented with tubulo-interstitial nephropathy associated with liver cystic disease and elevated liver enzymes. The liver biopsy demonstrated congenital hepatic fibrosis secondary to ductal plate malformation. The coexistence of a chronic tubulo-interstitial renal disease with lesions associated to malformations of the hepatic ductal plate indicates that CED as a new member of the congenital hepatorenal fibrocystic syndromes.     

人细胞系生物人工肝支持系统治疗慢加急性肝衰竭患者的初步研究

目的 利用自行构建的混合生物人工肝支持系统,探讨其治疗肝衰竭患者的安全性和有效性.方法 采用转染人肝再生增强因子(hALR)的Hep G2细胞为生物材料构建生物反应器,利用慢加急性肝衰竭患者作为治疗对象,随机分组进行混合生物人工肝治疗及普通血浆置换治疗.结果 治疗组6例患者中,4例经住院治疗1个月后临床好转出院,1例在治疗结束20 d后因肝性脑病死亡,1例出院后1个月因肝肾综合征死亡,1例在恢复后1年因消化道出血死亡.对照组6例患者中存活2例,1例肝移植,3例因肝衰竭死亡.结论 自行构建的混合生物人工肝支持系统功能良好,初步论证有一定的安全性和有效性.     

人细胞系生物人工肝支持系统治疗慢加急性肝衰竭患者的初步研究

目的利用自行构建的混合生物人工肝支持系统,探讨其治疗肝衰竭患者的安全性和有效性。方法采用转染人肝再生增强因子（hALR）的HepG2细胞为生物材料构建生物反应器,利用慢加急性肝衰竭患者作为治疗对象,随机分组进行混合生物人工肝治疗及普通血浆置换治疗。结果治疗组6例患者中,4例经住院治疗1个月后临床好转出院,1例在治疗结束20d后因肝性脑病死亡,1例出院后1个月因肝肾综合征死亡,1例在恢复后1年因消化道出血死亡。对照组6例患者中存活2例,1例肝移植,3例因肝衰竭死亡。结论自行构建的混合生物人工肝支持系统功能良好,初步论证有一定的安全性和有效性。     

Expression of serum sCD163 in patients with liver diseases and inflammatory disorders

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic values of soluble cluster of differentiation 163 (sCD163) in patients with liver failure or various inflammations. Methods: Serum samples were collected from patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University from October 2013 to January 2015 for treatment of with liver diseases, including liver failure (n=38), hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver cancer (HBsAg positive) (n=40), HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis (HBsAg positive) (n=40), chronic hepatitis B (n=38), HBV carrier (n=40), fatty liver patients without HBV infection (n=40), chronic glomerulonephritis (n=38), community acquired pneumonia (n=38) and acute pancreatitis (n=38). The CD163/sCD163 was determined using commercial ELISA kits according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: Significant decrease was noticed in the sCD163 in patients with fatty liver and HBV carrier compared with that of patients with chronic hepatitis B (P < 0.05). Compared with the healthy controls, the level of sCD163 was remarkably increased in the other groups (P < 0.05). The serum sCD163 in patients with HBV-induced liver cancer showed statistical difference compared with those of the patients with fatty liver, HBV carrier, as well as those with liver failure (P < 0.05). The expression of sCD163 was remarkably elevated in patients with liver failure compared with the patients with liver cancer, HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, fatty liver, or HBV carrier (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noticed in the sCD163 in patients with chronic hepatitis B, community acquired pneumonia, chronic glomerulonephritis, and acute pancreatitis (P > 0.05). Conclusions: sCD163 is a sensitive marker protein for liver failure. The elevation of sCD163 was closely related to the progression of the liver failure. No statistical difference was noticed in the sCD163 in patients with inflammatory disorders, indicating sCD163 showed no organ specificity.