Authors :
Haque M. Z.; Hasan N. A.; Uddin M. S.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3d3vsf53
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/6wus8avc
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec1124
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Leptospirosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic infection with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging
from mild febrile illness to severe multisystem involvement. Neurological complications are uncommon and acute transverse
myelitis is particularly rare. We report the case of a 55-year-old Bangladeshi male who presented with fever followed by
acute flaccid paraparesis, sensory level, jaundice, and acute kidney injury. Neurological examination revealed spinal shock
with a D8 sensory level. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated thrombocytopenia, hepatic dysfunction, renal failure, and
positive leptospira IgM serology, while cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging showed
degenerative changes without compressive pathology. A diagnosis of leptospira-associated acute transverse myelitis was
made. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone, oral doxycycline, and high-dose intravenous
methylprednisolone, resulting in significant clinical and biochemical improvement. This case highlights the importance of
considering leptospirosis in the differential diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis in endemic regions, as early recognition
and combined antimicrobial and immunomodulatory therapy may lead to favorable outcomes.
Keywords :
Leptospira-Associated Transverse Myelitis.
References :
- Bhatia R, Singh N, Singh S. Neuroleptospirosis presenting with Anton’s syndrome. Front Neurol. 2018;9:966. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00966
- Chen SX, Zhang Y, Wang L, et al. Leptospira infection complicated by demyelinating disease: a case report. Front Neurol. 2022;13:1021364. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.1021364
- Haake DA, Levett PN. Leptospirosis in humans. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2001;14(2):296–326. doi:10.1128/CMR.14.2.296-326.2001
- Musso D, La Scola B. Laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis: a challenge. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2013;19(7):E277–E283. doi:10.1111/1469-0691.12234
- Rajapakse S, Weeratunga P, Niloofa R, et al. Leptospirosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2025;11:14. doi:10.1038/s41572-025-00614-5
- Ramos JM, Padilla S, Masía M, et al. Acute transverse myelitis associated with leptospirosis. Int J Sci Rep. 2024;10(3):112–116. doi:10.18203/issn.2454-2156.IntJSciRep20241666
- Romero EC, Bernardo CC, Yasuda PH. Involvement of the nervous system in leptospirosis. I. Neurological aspects. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 1993;51(4):457–465. doi:10.1590/S0004-282X1993000400006
- Shah K, Patil T, Patel R. Uncommon neurological manifestations of leptospirosis: a case report. BMJ Case Rep. 2018;2018:bcr2018225281. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-225281
- Silva HR, Camargo ED, Romano CC, et al. Aseptic meningitis as the initial manifestation of leptospirosis: case series and literature review. BMC Infect Dis. 2021;21:558. doi:10.1186/s12879-021-06200-w
Leptospirosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic infection with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging
from mild febrile illness to severe multisystem involvement. Neurological complications are uncommon and acute transverse
myelitis is particularly rare. We report the case of a 55-year-old Bangladeshi male who presented with fever followed by
acute flaccid paraparesis, sensory level, jaundice, and acute kidney injury. Neurological examination revealed spinal shock
with a D8 sensory level. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated thrombocytopenia, hepatic dysfunction, renal failure, and
positive leptospira IgM serology, while cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging showed
degenerative changes without compressive pathology. A diagnosis of leptospira-associated acute transverse myelitis was
made. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone, oral doxycycline, and high-dose intravenous
methylprednisolone, resulting in significant clinical and biochemical improvement. This case highlights the importance of
considering leptospirosis in the differential diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis in endemic regions, as early recognition
and combined antimicrobial and immunomodulatory therapy may lead to favorable outcomes.
Keywords :
Leptospira-Associated Transverse Myelitis.