LEPTOSPIROSIS
(Weil’s Disease/Canicola Fever/ Hemorrhagic Jaundice/ Mud fever/Swine Herd Disease)
A zoonotic infectious bacterial disease carried by animals, both domestic and
wild
 Leptospira ((Leptospira interrogans)- a
spirochete
• Chiefly saprophytic aquatic
organisms which are found in river
and lake waters, sewage, and in the
sea
• Some species are pathogenic to
man and animals
• Weil’s Disease- specifically caused
by the serovar icterohemorrhagiae
Cat, wine and other livestock → DOGS ⭠Rodents,
Wild Animals
⭣
Contact with contaminated water and soil
Entry through the eyes, mouth and broken skin
⭣ •
Man
6-15 days
Leptospira is found in the urine between 10 to
20 days after disease onset
 Ingestion or contact with the skin or mucous
membranes of infected urine or carcasses
of either wild or domestic animals
 Through the mucous membranes of the
eyes, nose and mouth, and through breaks
in the skin (damaging the kidneys, liver,
meninges & conjuntivae)
 Through semen of infected animals
 Common among watersport enthusiasts in
certain areas as prolonged immersion in
water is known to promote the entry of
bacteria
 Occupation at risk include veterinarians,
slaughter house workers, farmers and sewer
workers
• Contaminated food and water and
infected wildlife and domestic animals,
especially rodents
• Rats (L. icterohaemorrhagiae)- frequently
observed among mine, sewer and abattoir
workers
• Dogs (L. canicola)- veterinarians, breeders
and owners of dogs
Mice (L. grippotyphosa)- farmers and flax
workers
 Leptospira ➔ Body
 ➔ Multiplies in the bloodstream
 ➔ Liver (Jaundice)
 ➔ Kidneys (inflammation of the
nephrons & tubular necrosis)
 ➔ Renal failure
 ➔ Muscles ➔ Pain & edema
 ➔ Eyes (conjunctivitis, icteric –
orange-colored sclera)
1. Asymptomatic to fatal
2. Clinical course is generally biphasic and the
majority of the cases are anicteric
3 septic stages can be recognized
1. Septic stage
 Marked by febrile episodes lasting from 4
to 7 days
 There is an abrupt onset of remittent fever,
chills, headache, anorexia, abdominal
pain and severe prostration
 Respiratory distress
 Fever subsides with lysis
2. Immune or toxic stage
 With or without jaundice, and lasts for 4 to
30 days
 Iritis, headache, meningeal manifestations
like disorientation, and convulsions, with
CSF findings of aseptic meningitis.
 Oliguria and anuria with progressive renal
failure
 Shock, coma, and congestive heart failure
are also seen in severe cases. Death may
occur between the 9 th and the 16th days.
3. Convalescence- At this stage, relapse may occur
during the 4th to 5th weeks
 Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine
 Enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
 Liver function tests usually are slightly to
moderately elevated
 Leptospira antigen-antibody test (LAAT)
 Leptospira antibody test (LAT)
• Meningitis
• Respiratory Distress
• Renal interstitial tubular necrosis that results in
renal failure (Weil’s disease)
• Cardiovascular problem
 Disturbed body image
 High risk for injury
 Anxiety
 Altered nutrition: Less than body requirements
 Impaired physical mobility
 Impaired skin integrity
 Knowledge deficit
• Treatment is geared toward:
 Suppressing the causative agent
 Fighting possible complications
 Aetiotropic drugs – penicillin,
doxycycline, ampicillin, amoxicillin
 For prophylaxis = doxycycline 100mg
PO q12H x 1 week
 Peritoneal dialysis
 Administration of fluids and electrolytes
and blood as indicated
 Isolate the patient; urine must be properly
disposed
 Darken the patient’s room
 Observe meticulous skin care
 Keep clients under close surveillance
 Keep homes clean. Regularly replace water in
pools, vases, aquaria, etc., to prevent
stagnation

 Eradicate rats and rodents

 Provide health education on the modes of

transmission of the disease

 Encourage oral fluid intake

o Sanitation in homes, workplaces and farms is a

must
o There is a need for proper drainage system and
control of rodents (40-60% infected)
o Animals (cattle, dogs, cats and pigs) must be
vaccinated
o Infected humans and pets should be treated
o Information dissemination campaign must be
conducted effectively.