Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Unveiling Stroke in Leptospirosis Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Abstract

Leptospirosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Leptospira. The disease presentation varies from self-limited acute febrile illness to complications involving multiple organs such as the liver, kidney, lungs, and bleeding diathesis. We present a case of a middle-aged female admitted with acute febrile illness, thrombocytopenia, and respiratory failure. She was diagnosed with leptospirosis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and was on noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV). The patient developed a stroke during the course of her admission, which was due to a large cerebral infarction. The patient was treated for leptospirosis, respiratory failure, and the cerebral infarction with antibiotics, steroids, and antiplatelet agents. She eventually recovered from both her ARDS and stroke and was discharged. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case from India of leptospirosis presenting with both ARDS and cerebral infarct. There is a dearth of literature wherein leptospirosis neurological involvement is in the form of ischemic stroke. This would further encourage research and guideline formulation for the management of both leptospirosis ARDS and ischemic stroke occurring as a complication.