Human leptospirosis: Management and prognosis
As leptospirosis is a treatable disease, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important for better prognosis. Early diagnosis depends on the knowledge of epidemiological factors, presenting features and use of appropriate laboratory tests. Early institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2005-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Postgraduate Medicine |
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| Online Access: | http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2005;volume=51;issue=3;spage=201;epage=204;aulast=Kobayashi |
| Summary: | As leptospirosis is a treatable disease, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important for better prognosis. Early diagnosis depends on the knowledge of epidemiological factors, presenting features and use of appropriate laboratory tests. Early institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy in combination with supportive therapy reduces the mortality from this disease. Leptospires are sensitive to a variety of antimicrobial agents, including penicillin, cephems, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines and macrolides. Of these antimicrobial agents, short-term treatment with streptomycin exterminates, leptospires. When penicillin, cephems, tetracylines and macrolides are used, long-term therapy with large doses may be required from the early stage of the disease until the appearance of antibodies. |
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| ISSN: | 0022-3859 0972-2823 |