Open AccessThe farmer who didn't need a wheel barrow
Author(s) -
Willibald Hochholzer,
Christina Orasch,
Stefanie Huber,
Christian Arranto,
Sabina Hunziker
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.01.2009.1437
Subject(s) - leptospirosis , signs and symptoms , medicine , intensive care medicine , general surgery , surgery , pathology
We report the difficulties encountered in diagnosing leptospirosis in an 85-year-old man who presented with non-specific signs and symptoms. Initially, a wide haematologic and oncologic work-up without significant results was performed, as symptoms of several organ dysfunctions emerged and the clinical course showed a rapid deterioration. After several days without a definite diagnosis, the infection was finally detected after reviewing all results and considering the patient's profession as a farmer. After receiving appropriate antibiotic treatment the patient recovered fully.