Anticardiolipin antibodies in leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is an infection caused by a spirochete called leptospira, with reservoirs found on rodents, dogs, cattle and pigs. An infection with leptospira causes fever, and in severe cases, can damage the liver, kidneys, and blood vessels. The second stage of the infection occurs two weeks after the initial infection and it can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), inflammation of the nerves (neuritis), and heart failure. It is thought that the symptoms that occur during the second stage of infection may be caused by a reaction of the immune system. The immune system makes substances called antibodies that attack and destroy microorganisms that invade the body. However, under abnormal circumstances the immune system may make antibodies that destroy the body's own tissues. Cardiolipin is a substance found in cell membranes; anticardiolipin antibodies are antibodies that attack and destroy cardiolipin. Anticardiolipin antibodies have been found in the blood of patients with spirochetal infections that cause Lyme disease and syphilis. It is not known what causes these antibodies to be produced, or whether these antibodies are responsible for the tissue damage that occurs during these infections. To determine if anticardiolipin antibodies are present in patients with leptospirosis, blood samples from 16 patients with leptospirosis were tested. Eight of the 16 patients had higher than normal levels of anticardiolipin antibodies in their blood, and these patients had more severe symptoms of infection. It is suggested that anticardiolipin antibodies may contribute to or worsen the symptoms of leptospirosis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)