Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira . Leptospirosis, also known as canicola fever, hemorrhagic jaundice, infectious jaundice, mud fever, spirochetal jaundice, swamp fever, swineherd's disease, caver's flu or sewerman's flu, is a bacterial infection resulting from exposure to the Leptospira interrogans bacterium. In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Leptospirosis can be transmitted by rats as well as by skunks, opossums, raccoons, foxes, and other vermin The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin , eyes or with the mucous membranes . The 40 to 100 infections reported every year in the United States occur mainly in the late summer and early fall. Because mild leptospirosis typically causes vague, flu-like symptoms, many infections probably go unreported. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. Leptospirosis is confirmed by laboratory testing of a blood or urine sample.

Leptospirosis, an infectious disease that affects humans and animals, is considered the most common zoonosis in the world. The organism enters the body when mucous membranes or abraded skin come in contact with contaminated environmental sources. the disease is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs. There is an acute form of human infection known as Weil's Disease, where the patient suffers from jaundice, though this term is often (incorrectly) used to describe any case of infection. Although leptospirosis is an occupational disease of farmers and sewer and slaughterhouse workers, most people become infected while engaging in outdoor activities such as swimming or wading in contaminated water Leptospirosis is caused by spiral-shaped bacteria of the genus Leptospira , (referred to as leptospires) which infect a variety of wild and domestic animals. Leptospirosis is found all over the world, including in the UK, however it is primarily a disease of tropical and subtropical regions and it is uncommon in temperate climates. Leptospires are naturally aquatic organisms and are found in fresh water, damp soil, vegetation, and mud.

Causes of Leptospirosis

The common Causes of Leptospirosis :

• Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira interrogans a corkscrew-shaped bacterium (spirochete).
• Farmers, ranchers, abattoir workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel
• Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to the bacteria, which can be found in fresh water contaminated by animal urine.
• Fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and trail biking in warm areas.
• Pet dogs, domesticated live stock, rainwater catchment systems, and infestation by infected rodents.

Symptoms of Leptospirosis

Some comman Symptoms of Leptospirosis :

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (50% of cases).
• Dry cough (25 - 35% of cases) .
• Less common symptoms include joint aches, bone pain, sore throat, and abdominal pain.
• Conjunctivitis.
• Abrupt onset of fever, rigors, myalgias, and headache in 75 - 100% of patients
• Incubation period of 2 - 26 days (average 10 days).
• Approximately 7 - 40% of patients may have muscle tenderness, an enlarged spleen or liver, enlarged lymph glands, sore throat, muscle rigidity, abnormal lung sounds, or skin rash.

Treatment of Leptospirosis

• Leptospirosis is treatable with antibiotics. Treatment should be started as soon as possible. Severely ill persons might need intravenous antibiotic treatment and other supportive care.
• Patients with renal failure may require dialysis; renal function is restored in most.
• The antibiotics of choice are penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline and erythromycin. Kidney dialysis may be necessary in some cases.
• Diagnosis is by culturing the organism from the patient's blood, urine or cerebrospinal fluid (which surrounds the brain and spinal cord). or by finding specific antibodies in the blood.
• Supportive therapy and careful management of renal, hepatic, hematologic, and CNS complications are important.
• Penicillins, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin can be given to treat leptospirosis. Supportive care needs to be given in complicated cases.

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