[Pulmonary manifestations in severe ictero-hemorrhagic leptospirosis].

Eight cases of pulmonary involvement were observed in 17 severe cases of ictero-haemorrhagic leptospirosis. Haemoptysis (7 cases) occurred on the 4th day of the infectious syndrome and was associated with other haemorrhagic manifestations in 4 cases. Cough, pain and polypnoea were not constant. Chest X-ray showed diffuse, non-specific changes, such as nodular opacities or infiltrates. Septicaemia was confirmed in all cases with acute renal failure in 7 cases and meningitis in 6 cases. Severe thrombocytopenia was demonstrated in 2 cases. Six patients recovered quickly with regression of the lung changes within 12 days. Two patients died, one of a fulminant haemoptysis related to a disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, and the other of acute respiratory failure. All cases were confirmed serologically. Although lung changes in leptospirosis are usually benign and mild, haemoptysis and polypnoea with diffuse radiological changes are poor prognostic factors. The pathological changes were similar to those of haemorrhagic alveolitis. These changes may be either due to the liberation of toxins or to an immunological phenomenon.