LEPTOSPIROSIS ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE PULMONARY HEMORRHAGE IN FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Pulmonary haemorrhage as a manifestation of leptospirosis is rarely di agnosed in developed countries. Five patients with proven leptospirosi s associated with severe pulmonary haemorrhage presented to one hospit al in Far North Queensland between January 1994 and June 1997. Four re quired admission to the intensive care unit and one patient died. Pulm onary haemorrhage is an uncommon but severe complication of leptospiro sis and may be a source of diagnostic confusion in tropical areas of A ustralia.