Anuria, an Atypical Presentation of Leptospirosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Leptospirosis, an underreported disease, is a highly prevalent spirochaetal zoonotic disease in both tropical and temperate climates. Symptoms can range from mild illness to potentially life-threatening infection. Laboratory tests are nonspecific. Microbiological confirmation is not widely available in endemic developing countries like Nepal. We need to rely on the serologic test, which has its own pitfalls in the initial days of illness. Here, we report a case of 56 years old female from the western region of Nepal who presented with fever, jaundice and anuria. She initially tested negative for leptospirosis but was later found to be positive in the second week of illness. Unlike the usual non-oliguric renal failure in leptospirosis, she presented with anuria requiring haemodialysis and subsequently had a good recovery with treatment. We highlight the importance of clinical suspicion and logical interpretation of serologic tests based on its timing from the onset of illness.

Keywords

• anuria; case report; leptospirosis; renal insufficiency; zoonoses.