What major complication in severe leptospirosis results from kidney damage impacting waste filtration?
Answer
Acute renal failure
Kidney damage represents one of the severe target areas for disseminated *Leptospira* infection. When this damage is significant enough to disrupt the kidneys' primary function—the filtering of waste products from the blood—the resulting condition is acute renal failure. This failure means the body can no longer effectively clear metabolic waste, leading to systemic toxicity if not managed aggressively. This complication, along with severe liver issues like jaundice, defines the life-threatening nature of the later stages of the disease.
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