Clinical and laboratory associations of severity in a Sri Lankan cohort of patients with serologically confirmed leptospirosis: a prospective study

Background Leptospirosis results in significant morbidity and mortality. This study elucidates markers of severity in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients. Methods Patients presenting to three healthcare institutions in the Western province of Sri Lanka with leptospirosis serological confirmed by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) were included. Prospective data regarding demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters was extracted. Univariate associations and subsequent multivariate logistic regression models were constructed. Results The study included 232 patients, with 68.5% (159) demonstrating severe disease. Significant associations of severe disease at a significance level of p38.8°C on presentation, age >40 years, muscle tenderness, tachycardia on admission, highest white cell count >12 350/mm3 and 84%, haemoglobin >11.2 g/dL and 33.8% and