Weil's Disease in an HIV-Infected Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Weil's disease, an icterohemorrhagic infection, is the most severe and fatal form of leptospirosis and is characterized by jaundice, renal dysfunction, and hemorrhagic predisposition. Weil's disease with HIV infection has rarely been reported. A 68-year-old male with HIV infection presented to our hospital with fever and dyspnea that progressed to severe hemoptysis and systemic multiple organ failure, necessitating a tracheal intubation ventilator. A diagnosis of Weil's disease was made after Leptospira interrogans was identified via metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). After immediately receiving supportive therapy and targeted antimicrobial agents, the patient achieved complete recovery upon discharge. The co-infection of HIV infection and leptospirosis resulting in systemic multi-organ failure is rare, but awareness should be raised of the differential diagnosis. mNGS can help identify pathogens and facilitate the use of targeted and efficacious antimicrobial therapy in unusual clinical environments.

Automated summary

A case of Weil's disease with HIV infection was reported in this study. Leptospira interrogans was identified via mNGS in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the patient. The patient achieved complete recovery after receiving targeted antimicrobial therapy.