Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Manifested by Leptospirosis Successfully Teated by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Chen-Yi Liao; Ren-Jy Ben; Hau-Ming Wu; Shih-Kun Chang; Mei-Yu Liu; Hsien-Kuo Chin; Yen-Cheng Yeh

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.54.4528

CASE REPORTS

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Manifested by Leptospirosis Successfully Teated by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Chen-Yi Liao, Ren-Jy Ben, Hau-Ming Wu, Shih-Kun Chang, Mei-Yu Liu, Hsien-Kuo Chin, Yen-Cheng Yeh

Author information

Keywords: leptospirosis, severe pulmonary form of leptospirosis (SPFL), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2015 Volume 54 Issue 22 Pages 2943-2946

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.54.4528

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Abstract

Leptospirosis is recognized as a zoonotic disease that is emerging worldwide. Severe manifestations are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates and may therefore pose an important risk to public health, especially in certain high prevalence areas like Taiwan. The severe pulmonary form of leptospirosis is a lesser known entity and is characterized by intra-alveolar hemorrhage and can lead to acute respiratory failure with resistant hypoxemia, which leads to high mortality rates despite maximally invasive mechanical ventilation and adequate treatment. We herein present a case of severe leptospirosis complicated by massive pulmonary hemorrhage, which was successfully managed by extra corporeal membrane oxygenation.

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