3. Leptospirosis is essentially animal infection by several
serotypes of Leptospira (Spirocheates) and transmitted to
man under certain environmental conditions.
4.
5. Problem statement
Leptospirosis is the most widespread of the disease transmissible
from animal to man.
High prevalence in warm humid tropical countries.
Out breaks mostly occur as a result of heavy rainfall and consequent
floodings.
More than 1 million cases of leptospirosis are estimated to occur
worldwide each year including almost 60,000 deaths.
18. Clinical picture
The clinical spectrum of leptospirosis is very wide, with
mild anicteric presentation at one end to severe
leptospirosis with severe jaundice and multiple organ
involvement on the other.
19.
20.
21. It is the milder form of the disease. Patient also presents renal
manifestation, pulmonary manifestations (cough ,chest pain
and haemoptysis), and haemorrhagic tendencies.
22.
23. Combined renal and liver failure associated with
leptospirosis is referred to as Weil's disease.
Leptospirosis during pregnancy can cause foetal
complications including foetal death or abortion.
24.
25.
26. (a) ANTIBIOTICS :
Penicillin is the drug of choice but other antibiotics
(tetracycline, amoxycillin, ampicillin and doxycycline) are
also effective.
The dosage of penicillin is 6 million units daily intravenously.
27.
28. (b) ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES :
Preventing exposure to potentially contaminated
water
Reducing contamination by rodent control
Protection of workers in hazardous occupation.
Measures should be taken to control rodents, proper
29. Vaccination
Immunization of farmers and pets prevent disease.
It is important that they should incorporate strains of the
serotypes that predominate in the particular area since
immunity to one type of Leptospira may not protect
against infection by another.
