Leptospirosis medical therapy

Leptospirosis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Leptospirosis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Other Imaging Findings
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Leptospirosis medical therapy On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Leptospirosis medical therapy All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Leptospirosis medical therapy
CDC on Leptospirosis medical therapy
Leptospirosis medical therapy in the news
Blogs on Leptospirosis medical therapy
Directions to Hospitals Treating Leptospirosis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Leptospirosis medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Antimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of therapy for Leptospirosis. Less severe cases can be treated with either Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Doxycycline, or Erythromycin. Severe cases may be treated with high doses of intravenous Penicillin. Supportive therapy measures (esp. in severe cases) include detoxication and normalization of the hydro-electrolytic balance. Glucose and salt solution infusions may be administered; dialysis is used in serious cases.

Medical Therapy

Antimicrobial regimen

• 1. Severe

• High doses of Penicillin IV

• 2. Less severe

• Preferred regimen: Amoxycillin OR Ampicillin OR Doxycycline OR Erythromycin
• Alternative regimen: Ceftriaxone OR Cefotaxime OR Quinolone
• Note (1): Treatment with effective antibiotics should be initiated as soon as the diagnosis of leptospirosis is suspected and preferably before the fifth day after the onset of illness
• Note (2): Clinicians should never wait for the results of laboratory tests before starting treatment with antibiotics because serological tests do not become positive until about a week after the onset of illness, and cultures may not become positive for several weeks.