Leptospirosis in the causation of hepato-renal syndrome in and around Pune.

Fifty cases of hepato-renal dysfunction of unknown etiology were studied over a two-year period. Urine samples were examined microscopically and cultured for Leptospira. Serum samples were examined for antibodies against Leptospira by the Macroscopic slide agglutination test (MSAT). Seventeen out of fifty patients (34%) showed evidence of Leptospiral infection by at least two diagnostic techniques used. 15/17 i.e. 88.2% were positive by dark ground microscopy, 7/17 were diagnosed by culture technique and 16/17 i.e. 94% were confirmed by serology. There was a good correlation between Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and MSAT. Thus Leptospires seem to play a major role in the causation of hepato-renal dysfunction in and around Pune, Maharashtra.