Prognosis

Patients respond well to antibiotic treatment with resolution of symptoms within 24 to 48 hours, although there is the potential for relapse from persistent infection. Severely ill patients have a good prognosis if there are no complications. Pulmonary, cardiac, and intravascular complications can be life threatening.[1] Mortality can be as high as 20% in untreated patients.[1][13] Fetal mortality among pregnant women is very high.[31]

Resistance to antibiotics has been reported only anecdotally.[29] Due to the limited availability of cultures for testing, it remains unclear whether treatment failures are due to resistance or progression of disease from more virulent strains or host factors.

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer