Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by exposure to the Leptospira interrogans bacterium, which is typically spread through contact with infected animal urine or tissues. It has an incubation period of 6-15 days and symptoms may include fever, headache, jaundice, renal failure, and meningitis or encephalitis. Diagnosis involves blood tests to detect antibodies and urine or blood cultures. Treatment consists of antibiotics like penicillin or doxycycline. Prevention focuses on maintaining a clean environment to avoid contact with infected animals or tissues.

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Leptospirosis
Definition: (A.K.A Canicola Fever, hemorrhagic jaundice,
Infectious Jaundice, Spirochetal jaundice, Swamp fever,
Swineherd’s disease, Caver’s flu/ Sewerman’s flu)
- Is a bacterial infection resulting from exposure to the
Leptospira interrogans bacterium.
Pathophysiology:
Rodents, Wild animals
Predisposing Factor: Dirty environment,
age, Seasons, Males, geographic areas.
Infected urine/carcasses
MAN
Incubates for 6 – 15 days
Proliferation & widespread dissemination
Asymptomatic
Leptospira – penetrates; Skin,
mucus membrane/ ingestion of
contaminated food & water
Organ system affected
Vasculitis and leakage -> petechiae,
intraparenchymal bleeding and
bleeding along serosa and mucosa-
Lost of fluids into the 3rd
space ->
hypovolaemic shock and vascular
collapse
Blood Stream -> Produces
endotoxin – >attach onto the
endothelial cells – >capillary
vasculitis [endothelial necrosis
and lymphocytic infiltration]
Leptospiramia
Hemorrhagic
Pneumonitis
Jaundice
Interstitial
nephritis
Meningitis &
Encephalitis
Fever
Pulmonary
Hemorrhage
Ictero
hemorrage
Renal failure
Meningoencep-
halitis
Leptospirosis
Convalescence:
Relapse may occur during 4th
– 5th
Wk
Septic Stage:
Febrile lasting for 4 – 7 days, chills,
Headache, anorexia, abdominal
pain
Immune/ Toxic stage:
Can be with/ without jaundice last for 4
– 30 days, iritis, headache, meningeal
manifestations, oliguria & anuria with
progressive renal failure, shock, coma,
CHF in severe cases
Blood Culture CSF & Urine culture,
Agglutination test
DEATH
Clinical Manifetations:
Fever, Headache, Myalgia, Renal
Failure, Jaundice, conjunctival suffusion,
chills, arthralgia, cough, photophobia,
rash pruritic, abdominal pain, diarrhoea,
nausea, vomitting
No splenomegaly, leucocytosis, high
ESR with/ without thromcyropenia
Medications:
Pencillin G [DOC]
Tetracyclines [Doxycycline]
Diagnosis:
 Total WBC count slightly
elevated with neutrophilia.
 Rising titre of leptospiral
Ab is found from the 2nd
Wk onwards.
 Increased ESR [about
60mm].
 Thrombocytopenia
 Urinalysis with proteinuria
 Hematuria with casts
Management
 Isolation of Px: urine must
be properly disposed,
darken the Px’s room
because light is irritating
to the eyes of the Px.
 Observe meticulous: skin
care to ease pruritus.
 Health teachings: keep a
clean environment