What is leptospirosis?

Definition

Leptospirosis is a rare and contagious bacterial infection caused by the
bacterium
Leptospira. Leptospirosis is most common in warm,
tropical conditions and can affect any part of the body. With prompt and proper
treatment, prognosis is usually good. If untreated, complications may develop that
can potentially be fatal.

Causes

Leptospirosis is caused by contact with fresh water, wet or dampened soil, or
vegetation that has been soiled by urine from an infected animal. When contact is
made with the contaminated material, bacteria enter the body through open sores or
wounds in the skin, or through mucous membranes. Humans can also contract
leptospirosis by drinking water that has been contaminated by the urine of an
infected animal. Once the bacteria have entered the body, they flow into the
bloodstream and throughout the body, causing infection.

Risk Factors

Anyone can contract leptospirosis, but people who are at an increased risk are canoeists, rafters, swimmers (in lakes, rivers, and streams); workers in flood plains; workers in wet agricultural settings; people who have pets (particularly dogs or livestock); people who work with the land (including farmers, ranchers, loggers, and rice-field workers); and people, including veterinarians and veterinary staff, who work with animals.

Symptoms

Symptoms typically appear about ten days after infection and include one or
more of the following: sudden fever, rigors, pain, and headache; dry cough;
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; conjunctivitis (pinkeye); aching
joints; sore throat; painful bones; abdominal pain; enlarged spleen, liver, or
lymph glands; rigid muscles; and a rash on the skin.

Screening and Diagnosis

A doctor will ask about symptoms and medical history and will perform a
physical exam. Tests may include a blood test to determine the presence of
antibodies to the Leptospira bacterium, and
cultures or other laboratory tests.

Treatment and Therapy

Treatment options include medications such as antibiotics,
including penicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin.

Prevention and Outcomes

To help reduce the chance of getting leptospirosis, one should reduce contact with soil, vegetation, and water that could possibly be contaminated with infected animal urine, including urine from rodents. If working with materials that could be contaminated, one should wear protective clothing, including waterproof boots or waders, that covers the skin. Persons working in an especially high-risk area should consult a doctor about beginning antibiotic treatment before potential exposure.

Bibliography

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases. “Leptospirosis.” Available at http://www.cdc.gov.

Forbes, Betty A., Daniel F. Sahm, and Alice S. Weissfeld. Bailey and Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology. 12th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby/Elsevier, 2007.

New York State Department of Health. “Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease).” Available at http://www.nyhealth.gov/diseases.

Ryan, Kenneth J., and C. George Ray, eds. Sherris Medical Microbiology: An Introduction to Infectious Diseases. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.