Serum creatine phosphokinase in leptospirosis
W. D. Johnson Jr, I. C. Silva and H. Rocha
Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic and
pyruvic transaminase (SGOT, SGPT) levels were determined in 61 patients
with leptospirosis and 16 with viral hepatitis during the acute phase of
illness. The CPK value was elevated in 29 leptospirosis patients and normal
in all 16 hepatitis patients. Conversely, mean SGOT and SGPT levels were
lower in leptospirosis patients. The CPK determination is a simple test
that may provide diagnostic information in a jaundiced patient,
particularly when characteristic manifestations of leptospirosis are
absent. The pattern of greatly elevated CPK levels with only modest
elevations in transaminase values in an acutely jaundiced patient should
strongly suggest a diagnosis of leptospirosis.
