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Nefrologia clinica

Acute renal failure in Weil’s disease

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Introduction

Leptospirosis is an emerging worldwide zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Gram negative Spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira "Bharti AR-2003" [1] "Slack A-2010" [2] (full text). Its clinical expression includes subclinical infection, an undifferentiated febrile illness and the most severe form, characterized by jaundice, acute kidney injury (AKI) and haemorrhagic diathesis, referred as Weil’s disease. Leptospirosis has a biphasic course: initially the leptospiremic phase (lasting 3-10 days) with acute fever, severe headache, anorexia, diarrhoea; later the immune phase with more severe symptoms, such as meningitis and uveitis. Renal involvement is common in leptospirosis "Visith S-2005" [3] (full text). In developed countries leptospirosis is an uncommon cause of AKI, but in tropical countries, where the disease is endemic, it is a frequent cause of AKI. Mortality in leptospirosis-associated AKI is around 22%.

Personal experience

In 2010 a 74-year-old Caucasian male was admitted because of fever, anuria and mialgia lasting for 2 days. He had no history of renal disease and reported previous normal values of renal function. A month earlier he had travelled to a region of Southern Italy. Physical examination showed normal blood pressure, dyspnoea and jaundice without other dermatological findings; the patient was anuric with 2 + pedal oedema. Initial laboratory work-up indicated a total leucocyte (WBC) count of 11,300/L (N 88.3%, L 11%, E 0.7%), a Hb level of 9.7 g/dL, PLT count of 13,000/µL, creatinine 5.25 mg/dL, BUN 67 g/dL, total protein 6.7 g/dL, albumin 2.9 g/dL, sodium 130 mEq/L, potassium 3.3 mEq/L, calcium 8.4 mg/dL; total cholesterol 254 mg/dL; LDL cholesterol 48 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol 22 mg/dL, procalcitonin 45.71 ng/mL, (n.v. < 0.09), Reactive C Protein 22.70 mg/dL, ferritin 1300 g/L. C3 and C4, IgG, IgA and IgM, Κ and Λ light chains, clotting profile, AST and ALT levels were in the normal range. Total and direct bilirubin values were respectively 4.3 and 2.1 mg/dL. Immunological (ANCA, ANA, anti-DNA antibodies, ENA, anti-phospholipids antibodies, rheumatoid factor) tests were unremarkable. A chest X-ray showed multiple bilateral ground-glass opacities (Figura 1). A thoracic CT-scan revealed multiple bilateral consolidations and bilateral pleural effusion ( Figura 2). There was to ECG evidence of normal sinus rhythm and transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated no wall motion abnormality. An abdominal US and a CT-scan revealed no abnormalities of liver, gallbladder, kidneys, spleen and pancreas. At the same time of antibiotic, platelet transfusion and diuretic therapy we started continuous venovenous haemofiltration (CVVHF) with weight loss and rapid regression of dyspnoea. Two days after admission the patient showed melena. Subsequent laboratory tests indicated: normal oncologic screening; no signs of haemolytic anaemia; red blood cells and WBC in urinary sediment; a total of 475 mg of protein was excreted during a 24-h urine collection; blood cultures examination, tuberculin reaction and HBV, HCV, CMV, EBV, Adenovirus, Chlamydia Pneumoniae and Mycoplasma Pneumoniae screening were negative. During hospitalization we observed a worsening of liver function (total and direct bilirubin respectively 17.30 and 10.50 mg/dL, gammaGT 267 IU/L, LDH 1027 IU/L, AST: 67 IU/L, ALT 96 IU/L) and inflammation parameters (WBC count 25,250/L, N 76.6%, ferritin 4200 g/dL). An abdomen CT-scan highlighted greatly thickened gallbladder and bile duct walls with contrast enhancement, peritoneal effusion and swelling of the visceral adipose tissue ( Figura 3). We performed the Leptospira IgM test (enzyme immunoassay) with positive result. After platelets and erythrocytes transfusions and omeprazole therapy, we started 3 g/day ceftazidime and 50 mg/day prednisone therapy with a progressive improvement in renal function and general conditions; after 10 days of admission we stopped CVVHF. A thoracic CT scan showed resolution of previously observed lesions. The patient was discharged on day 18. Final laboratory parameters were: creatinine: 0.93 mg/dL, BUN: 26 mg/dL, total and direct bilirubin respectively 6.50 and 3.40 mg/dL, AST: 47 IU/L, ALT: 84 IU/L, gammaGT: 137 IU/L, LDH: 609 IU/L, WBC 3420/L, Hb: 8.3 g/dL, and PLT: 262,000/µL.   

Conclusion

Leptospirosis is an infectious vasculitis. Its pathogenesis is related both to leptospira ability to damage the small blood vessels wall and to systemic immune response"Moretti R-2011" [4] [4] (full text). Renal involvement is common in leptospirosis "Abdulkader RC- 2008" [5]. It may vary from sub-clinical course with mild proteinuria and urinary sediment changes to severe renal failure. Haemodynamic alterations, bacterial invasion, inflammatory process and direct toxicity of bacterial products are thought to be responsible for nephropathy development. Renal impairment is a frequent complication in patients with severe form of leptospirosis, mainly characterized by an association of interstitial and tubular damage. Pathologically all renal structures are involved but interstitial nephritis is the basic lesion of leptospirosis. Glomerular changes are usually not remarkable. Tubular function abnormalities precede a decline in the glomerular filtration rate. AKI can manifest after several days of illness in oliguric or non-oliguric form, with serum electrolyte abnormalities reflecting proximal renal tubular dysfunction. Hypokalaemia is the most characteristic laboratory finding of leptospirosis-AKI. The considerable tubulo-interstitial involvement explains hypokalaemia such as constant and relevant characteristic of leptospirosis-AKI at the time of diagnosis, regardless of hypercatabolism, rhabdomyolysis, acidosis or oliguria. Leptospirosis-AKI can also have a prerenal component. Arterial hypotension is common, because of the reduction in systemic vascular resistance and dehydration. The haemodynamic status and alterations in most patients with severe leptospirosis are similar to those observed in patients with sepsis. Recovery of renal function is usually complete in most patients. The most severe form of leptospirosis is Weil’s disease, characterized by jaundice, AKI, hypotension, pulmonary oedema and haemorrhage, most commonly involving the lungs but also potentially affecting the gastrointestinal tract, retroperitoneum, pericardium and brain "Andrade L-2008" [6] [6] In the present case we observed a mixed jaundice cholestatic and hepatocellular, hypotension, thrombocytopenia, alveolar haemorrhage and oliguric hypokalaemic acute renal failure. We performed laboratory diagnosis by leptospira-IgM detection during the second week of the disease. Prognosis of leptospirosis-AKI is usually favourable unless complicated by multiple organ involvement. Pulmonary complications, hyperbilirubinaemia, oligo-anuria, diarrhoea, hyperkalaemia, old age and associated infection or underlying diseases carry bad prognosis with mortality ranging from 12% to 36%. Based on 2003 WHO recommendation, severe leptospirosis should be treated with intravenous penicillin or cephalosporin "Panaphut T- 2003" [7] (full text)

release  1
pubblicata il  16 settembre 2013 
da Gioacchino Li Cavoli, Carmela Zagarrigo, Franca Servillo, Onofrio Schillaci, Angelo Tralongo, Mario Coglitore, Calogera Tortorici, Luisa Bono, Angelo Ferrantelli, Carlo Giammarresi, Ugo Rotolo
(ARNAS Civic and Di Cristina, UOC Nephrology and Dialysis, Palermo)
Parole chiave: insufficienza renale acuta
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