Case of leptospirosis causing pancytopenia

Abstract

We present the case of a young female landscaper who presented to an Australian tertiary hospital with persistent fevers and new pancytopenia. Extensive initial workup for her presenting illness did not identify a cause; however, a detailed history of her occupation revealed she worked heavily with soil on farms that had domestic livestock in addition to rodents. Hence, further serological testing for leptospirosis was performed, revealing a diagnosis of infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo. Treatment covering leptospirosis was commenced, and she improved clinically, and her cell counts returned to normal. Pancytopenia is a rare manifestation of leptospirosis and has only been reported in a handful of case studies. We highlight that leptospirosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in those with fever, and new pancytopaenia, particularly in patients with relevant risk factors for exposure.