Disparity in clinical characteristics between 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia and leptospirosis

OBJECTIVE: A cluster outbreak of patients with similar symptoms and computed tomographic (CT) images of COVID-19 were diagnosed with leptospirosis. This study was aimed to identify the clinical difference between leptospirosis and COVID-19, providing evidence for strategy optimization. METHODS: A cohort of leptospirosis patients were collected and compared with age- and gender-matched COVID-19 cases in the epidemiological investigation, chest CT scan, laboratory tests, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Compared with COVID-19, contacting floodwater and lack of family clustering were features of leptospirosis in epidemiological assessment. In the laboratory test, higher level of white blood cells (WBCs: (10.38 ± 4.56) × 109/L vs (6.45 ± 1.95) × 109/L, p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP: (138.93 ± 73.03) mg/L vs (40.28 ± 30.38) mg/L, p < 0.001), Creatine ((88.27 ± 35.16) mmol/L vs (63.31 ± 14.50) mmol/L, p < 0.001), and a lower level of platelet ((152.93 ± 51.93) × 109/L vs (229.65 ± 66.59) × 109/L, p < 0.001) were detected on patients with leptospirosis. CONCLUSION: Given the epidemiological differences and seasonal prevalence, it is important to suspect leptospirosis in cases with a similar presentation of COVID-19. The clinical disparities may facilitate the therapeutic management of these two diseases.