Leptospirosis

Introduction. 

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease whose reservoir is in rodents, domestic animals and farm animals. Leptospires are shed in the animals' urine in high numbers. Most infections in humans are asymptomatic or mild.

Summary

• Cause: Leptospira interrogans
• Microscopy: Gram-negative spiral, very thin (hard to see)
• Diagnosis: Microscopy not useful; agglutination tests work best
• Transmission: Contaminated water (animal urine); direct contact of infected animals e.g slaughter house workers
• Symptoms: Mild flu-like
• Complications: Weil's Disease (meningitis, liver & kidney damage)
• Pathogenesis: Rapid growth and spread of Leptospira in body; damage of vascular endothelium causes symptoms; immune complexes.
• Immunity: Antibody-mediated immunity important
• Treatment: ampicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, doxycycline