A Rare Presentation of Leptospirosis: Dysarthria and Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Infect Dis Clin Microbiol. 2022 Dec 21;4(4):285-288. doi: 10.36519/idcm.2022.155. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Leptospirosis can present with severe cases such as polymyositis, peripheral neuropathy, and rarely, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). This paper reports a case who presented with dysarthria and GBS. A female patient presented with complaints of weakness, dizziness, diarrhea, and dysarthric. Her assessments included muscle strength globally 4/5 and deep tendon reflexes as hypoactive. An electromyographic examination was performed with the increase of weakness in the lower extremities, which indicated findings compatible with GBS. Antibodies against Leptospira biflexa serovar Patoc 1 at 1/400 titer were detected in the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Neurological involvement in leptospirosis cases can range from meningoencephalitis to GBS.

Keywords: Guillain-Barré syndrome; acute kidney failure; dysarthria; leptospirosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports