First isolation of Leptospira fainei serovar Hurstbridge from two human patients with Weil's syndrome

Leptospira fainei serovar Hurstbridge is a recently discovered Leptospira s pecies and so far it has only been cultured from animal sources. Based on p ositive serology and positive PCR for L. fainei among patients suspected of having leptospirosis, a role in human disease seems likely. This study des cribes two patients with Well's disease from whom L. fainei was cultured. A local source of the infections was suspected, as these two patients reside d in the same area of Denmark, were hospitalised approximately at the same time and had not been travelling recently. The Leptospira species was deter mined by serology, PCR and sequencing of bacterial DNA. One patient develop ed autoimmune hepatitis in the course of the L. fainei infection and was tr eated with both antibiotics and immunosuppression with good effect. The oth er patient had a self-limiting disease and did not receive any treatment.