Leptospira Interrogans; Leishmania Donovani; Legionella Pneumophila
Jess Fritsche
Leptospira interrogans; Leishmania donovani; Legionella pneumophila
Leptospira interrogans are flexible, gram-negative spirochetes (spiral or cork-screw bacteria) with internal flagella that they use to propel themselves by twisting back and forth 1. “They are motile, with hooked ends and paired axial flagella (one on each end), enabling them to burrow into tissue. Motion is marked by continual spinning on the long axis” 2. Leptospira cells are encased in a three to five layer membrane and have relatively simple nutritional needs. The only known organic compounds necessary for its growth are vitamins B1 and B12. L. interrogans is one of two species of Leptospira, and contains over 200 pathogenic strains, the most prevalent being canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona. These pathogenic bacteria, which are referred to as Leptospires, are the infectious agents that cause the zoonotic disease Leptospirosis. This disease is known to affect both humans and animals, and is considered the most common zoonosis in the world 2. It has the potential to become even more prevalent with global warming.
The primary hosts for this disease are wild and domestic animals, and the disease is a major cause of economic loss in the meat and dairy industry. Humans acquire the infection by contact with the urine of infected animals, but human-to-human transmission is extremely rare 1. Mucous membranes and broken skin are most likely the sites of entry for this bacterium, but they are also believed to enter the host through sodden and waterlogged skin, through the lungs (after inhalation of aerosolized body fluid), or through the placenta during pregnancy. “Virulent organisms in a susceptible host gain rapid access to the bloodstream through the lymphatics, resulting in leptospiremia and spread to all organs. The incubation period is usually 5-14 days but has been described from 72 hours to a month or more” 2. A generalized infection may
Leptospira interrogans; Leishmania donovani; Legionella pneumophila
Leptospira interrogans are flexible, gram-negative spirochetes (spiral or cork-screw bacteria) with internal flagella that they use to propel themselves by twisting back and forth 1. “They are motile, with hooked ends and paired axial flagella (one on each end), enabling them to burrow into tissue. Motion is marked by continual spinning on the long axis” 2. Leptospira cells are encased in a three to five layer membrane and have relatively simple nutritional needs. The only known organic compounds necessary for its growth are vitamins B1 and B12. L. interrogans is one of two species of Leptospira, and contains over 200 pathogenic strains, the most prevalent being canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona. These pathogenic bacteria, which are referred to as Leptospires, are the infectious agents that cause the zoonotic disease Leptospirosis. This disease is known to affect both humans and animals, and is considered the most common zoonosis in the world 2. It has the potential to become even more prevalent with global warming.
The primary hosts for this disease are wild and domestic animals, and the disease is a major cause of economic loss in the meat and dairy industry. Humans acquire the infection by contact with the urine of infected animals, but human-to-human transmission is extremely rare 1. Mucous membranes and broken skin are most likely the sites of entry for this bacterium, but they are also believed to enter the host through sodden and waterlogged skin, through the lungs (after inhalation of aerosolized body fluid), or through the placenta during pregnancy. “Virulent organisms in a susceptible host gain rapid access to the bloodstream through the lymphatics, resulting in leptospiremia and spread to all organs. The incubation period is usually 5-14 days but has been described from 72 hours to a month or more” 2. A generalized infection may