[Leptospirosis: a literature review].

We review epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic aspects of leptospirosis. In relation to the epidemiology it is worth noting the importance of recreational and occupational risk factors, as well as the lack of data available in Chile before the year 2000, when leptospirosis became the object of epidemiological surveillance. There are many forms of clinical presentations for this disease and often signs and symptoms may be nonspecific. Thus, differential diagnosis must include many clinical entities. Laboratory diagnosis, on the other hand, is complex and not widely available. Although still controversial, a literature review supports antimicrobial treatment, with different antibiotics to choose from.