Long-term Effects of Leptospirosis Long-term Effects of Leptospirosis on the Kidney ST De Silva1, N J A H D Perera1, M Bailey2, H J De Silva1 1Department of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, 2Royal Centre for Defense Medicine, UK OBJECTIVES Leptospirosis is an important seasonal disease in Sri Lanka. Renal involvement is a prominent feature in most cases. Although much is known about the pathogenesis and outcome of acute renal impairment, information concerning Leptospirosis-induced chronic kidney disease is scarce, with only one case report documented worldwide. We aimed to determine whether chronic kidney disease occurs as a sequelae of Leptospirosis, by doing a follow up study of patients with proven Leptospirosis 2 years after the illness. METHODS All admissions to the Professorial Medical Unit, Teaching Hospital, Ragama during 2006-2007 with Leptospirosis infection (proven by DNA testing) were re-assessed, using a questionnaire, blood pressure check, urinanalysis and serum creatinine measurement. RESULTS 25/38 patients (65.8%) reported for re-assessment. Mean age of the study group was 36.44 years (range 16-62 years). 23/25 were males. 16/25 patients (64%) had some degree of renal impairment during the acute illness. At follow up, mean duration since the acute illness was 577.12 days (range 423-745 days). Serum creatinine and calculated creatinine clearance (MDRD) was within the normal range for all patients. None had an active urinary sediment. CONCLUSIONS Leptospirosis does not appear to cause chronic renal impairment. Treating Leptospirosis-induced acute renal impairment aggressively is fully justified since long term renal outcome is excellent. References 1. Peces R Acute renal failure in severe leptospirosis Nephrol Dial Transplant 2003; 18:1235-1236 2. Yang CW, Wu MS, Pan MJ. Leptospira renal disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2001; 16 (5):73–77 3. Atasoyu EM, Turhan V, Unver S, Evrenkaya TR, Yildirim S. A case of leptospirosis presenting with end-stage renal failure Nephrol. Dial. Transplant 2005; 20(10): 2290 – 2292 4. Levett PN. Leptospirosis. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 2001; 14(2): 296 - 326