Leptospirosis Report Outline
Leptospirosis
Also known as Weil’s Disease, Mud fever, Canicola fever, Flood fever, Swineherd’s Disease, Japanese Seven Days fever.
Definition and Background
* A bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira that affects humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
* First described by Adolf Weil in 1886 when he reported an “acute infectious disease with enlargement of spleen, jaundice and nephritis”
Causative Agent
Leptospira - genus bacteria was isolated in 1907 from post mortem renal tissue slice.
Commonly found: Leptospira pyrogenes, Leptospira manilae, & other species like L. leterohemorrhagiae, L. canicola, L. batavia, L. Pomona, L. javinica
Predisposing Factors
Direct exposre to the microorganism is the method in which the disease is contracted.
* Occupational exposure: farmers, abattoir workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel.
* Recreational activities: fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and mountain biking in warm areas.
* Household exposure: pet dogs, domesticated live stock, rainwater catchment systems, and infestation by infected rodents.
Source of Infection
Infection comes from contaminated food and water, and infected wild life and domestic animals especially rodents.
1. Rats ( L. leterohemorrhagiae) are the source of Weil’s disease frequently observed among miners, sewer, and abattoir workers.
2. Dogs (L. canicola) can also be the source of infection among veterinarians, breeders, and owners of dogs.
3. Mice (L. grippotyphosa) may alos be a source of infection that attacks farmers and flax workers.
4. Rats (L. bataviae) are the source of infection that attacks rice field workers.
Modes of Transmission
* Wild mammals seem to serve as the primary reservoir of most leptospiral serovars. The organism has been found in
Also known as Weil’s Disease, Mud fever, Canicola fever, Flood fever, Swineherd’s Disease, Japanese Seven Days fever.
Definition and Background
* A bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira that affects humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
* First described by Adolf Weil in 1886 when he reported an “acute infectious disease with enlargement of spleen, jaundice and nephritis”
Causative Agent
Leptospira - genus bacteria was isolated in 1907 from post mortem renal tissue slice.
Commonly found: Leptospira pyrogenes, Leptospira manilae, & other species like L. leterohemorrhagiae, L. canicola, L. batavia, L. Pomona, L. javinica
Predisposing Factors
Direct exposre to the microorganism is the method in which the disease is contracted.
* Occupational exposure: farmers, abattoir workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel.
* Recreational activities: fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and mountain biking in warm areas.
* Household exposure: pet dogs, domesticated live stock, rainwater catchment systems, and infestation by infected rodents.
Source of Infection
Infection comes from contaminated food and water, and infected wild life and domestic animals especially rodents.
1. Rats ( L. leterohemorrhagiae) are the source of Weil’s disease frequently observed among miners, sewer, and abattoir workers.
2. Dogs (L. canicola) can also be the source of infection among veterinarians, breeders, and owners of dogs.
3. Mice (L. grippotyphosa) may alos be a source of infection that attacks farmers and flax workers.
4. Rats (L. bataviae) are the source of infection that attacks rice field workers.
Modes of Transmission
* Wild mammals seem to serve as the primary reservoir of most leptospiral serovars. The organism has been found in