Leptospirosis medical therapy
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maliha Shakil, M.D. [2]
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 (especially in severe cases) include detoxication and normalization of the hydro-electrolytic balance. Glucose and salt solution infusions may be administered. Dialysis is reserved for patients with severe disease who fail antimicrobial therapy.
Medical Therapy
Antimicrobial regimen
- 1. Severe [1]
- 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.
References
- ↑ LastName, FirstName (2003). Human leptospirosis guidance for diagnosis, surveillance and control. Geneva: World Health Organization. ISBN 9241545895.