Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases
Online ISSN : 1884-2836
Print ISSN : 1344-6304
ISSN-L : 1344-6304
Short Communication
Leptospirosis Cases in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Japan
Yoshikazu MutohNobuo KoizumiEriko MorinoKayoko HayakawaYasuyuki KatoNorio Ohmagari
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2017 Volume 70 Issue 6 Pages 669-671

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Abstract

In Japan, 20–50 cases of leptospirosis are reported annually, typically involving farmers or returnees from tropical areas. Here, we report on 5 indigenous leptospirosis cases that occurred in the Tokyo urban area. All patients were men (mean age, 66.4 ± 4.6 [SD] years) and presented with clinical features that included high fever, acute kidney injury, and jaundice. Three patients presented with pulmonary infiltration and ground-glass opacity on admission. Two of the 5 patients were intubated and underwent continuous hemodiafiltration. The mean length of hospitalization was 38.0 ± 17.0 days, and all patients were treated successfully with antibiotics. Notably, all patients had a history of exposure to rats prior to becoming symptomatic, suggesting that exposure to rats is a risk factor for urban leptospirosis. Although rare, even in metropolitan areas, leptospirosis should be considered by physicians when patients present with severe sepsis, acute kidney injury, and a history of exposure to rats.

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