LEPTOSPIROSIS

(Weil’s Disease/Canicola Fever/

Hemorrhagic Jaundice/ Mud fever/Swine
Herd Disease)
LEPTOSPIROSIS

A zoonotic infectious bacterial

disease carried by animals,
both domestic and wild
ETIOLOGIC AGENT: 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
INCUBATION PERIOD: 6-15 days

PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY
 Leptospira is found in the urine
between 10 to 20 days after disease
onset
SOURCES OF INFECTION
 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
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
 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
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)
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
 Asymptomatic to fatal
 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
9th and the 16th days.
3. Convalescence- At this stage, relapse may occur
during the 4th to 5th weeks
Laboratory Diagnosis
 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)
COMPLICATIONS
 Meningitis
 Respiratory Distress
 Renal interstitial tubular necrosis
that results in renal failure (Weil’s
disease)
 Cardiovascular problem
MANAGEMENT
Medical
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
Nursing
 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
COMMON NURSING DIAGNOSES
Disturbed body image
High risk for injury
Anxiety
Altered nutrition: Less than body
requirements
Impaired physical mobility
Impaired skin integrity
Knowledge deficit
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
 Sanitation in homes, workplaces and farms is a
must
 There is a need for proper drainage system and
control of rodents (40-60% infected)
 Animals (cattle, dogs, cats and pigs) must be
vaccinated
 Infected humans and pets should be treated
 Information dissemination campaign must be
conducted effectively.
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