LEPTOSPIROSIS

 also
known as Weil's syndrome, canicola
fever, canefield fever, nanukayami fever,
7-day fever, Rat Catcher's Yellows, Fort
Bragg fever, black jaundice and Pretibial
fever
PATHOGEN
 The incubation period (time of exposure
to first symptoms) in animals is anywhere
from 2 to 20 days.
 Leptospirosis is
caused by a
spirochaete
bacterium called
Leptospira spp
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
 high fever
 severe headache
 Chills
 muscle aches
 Vomiting
 jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
 red eyes
 abdominal pain
 Diarrhea
 rash
If the disease is not treated the patient could
develop:
 kidney damage
 meningitis (inflammation of the membrane
around the brain and spinal cord)
 liver failure
 respiratory distress

In rare cases death occurs.

 Humans become infected through
contact with water, food, or soil
containing urine from infected animals.

 This may happen by swallowing

contaminated food or water or through
skin contact, especially with mucosal
surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with
broken skin.
Leptospira organisms have been found in
(also in their urine):
 Cattle
 Pigs
 horses
 Dogs
 Rodents
 and wild animals.
 Reference
 http://www.pathologylabindia.com/lepto
spirosis.htm
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis
END