Facial palsy associated with leptospirosis

Introduction: The authors report a rare case of facial palsy associated with leptospirosis. Case report: A 60-year-old man was admitted to ICU with severe leptospirosis. On the eighth day of hospitalisation, he developed left peripheral facial palsy with a favourable course in response to corticosteroids. Discussion: Several types of neurological complications of leptospirosis have been reported: encephalitis, myelitis, stroke, cerebral arteritis, mononeuritis, polyradiculoneuropathy, and cranial nerve palsy. Peripheral facial palsy is a rare complication of leptospirosis. Conclusion: This case illustrates the possible association between leptospirosis and facial palsy. © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS.