Leptospirosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Leptospirosis Definition

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease of domestic animals, especially cattle, swine, and dogs. Leptospirosis may be caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira and characterized by jaundice and fever. Leptospirosis with liver disease is called Weil'ssyndrome and it may be characterized by yellowing of the eyes from liver disease.

Those most likely to suffer infection include farmers, sewer workers, veterinarians, commercial fishery workers, dairy and pig farmers, military personnel, slaughterhouse workers, and meat inspectors. Leptospirosis is also known as Weil disease, Icterohemorrhagic fever, and Swineherd's disease.

Leptospirosis Causes

Leptospirosis may be caused by a particular type of bacteria called a spirochete. Leptospirosis may be caused by exposure to the bacteria, which can be found in fresh water contaminated by animal urine. It occurs in warmer climates. Leptospirosis can be transmitted by rats as well as by skunks, opossums, raccoons,foxes, and other vermin. The disease is becoming a greater risk as more people travel to undeveloped areas of the world.

The bacteria are spread through contact with urine from infected animals. So, leptospirosis is a disease of animals and can be a very serious problem in the livestock industry. Leptospira bacteria have been found in dogs, rats, livestock, mice, voles, rabbits. The disease tends to occur most often in the summer and early autumn months.

Leptospirosis Symptoms

Leptospirosis symptoms begin from 2 to 25 days afterinitial direct exposure to the urine or tissue of an infectedanimal. This can even occur via contaminated soil or water.

The other symptoms of the leptospirosis may be included:

• Fever
• Rigors
• Myalgias
• Headache
• Dry cough
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Joint aches
• Bone pain
• Sore throat
• Skin rash
• Muscle rigidity
• Abdominal pain
• Conjunctivitis
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Abnormal lung sounds

Leptospirosis Treatments

Patients with severe illness will require hospitalization for treatment and monitoring.

The treatment of leptospirosis involves high doses of antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment is most effective when initiatedearly in the course of the illness.

Penicillins, doxycycline, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin can be given to treat leptospirosis. Supportive care needs to be given in complicated cases.

Medication or other treatment for pain, fever, vomiting, fluid loss, bleeding, mental changes, and low blood pressure may be provided. Patients with kidney failure will require hemodialysis to remove waste products from the blood.