Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by Leptospira bacteria found in the urine of infected animals like cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, and rodents. It can be transmitted to humans via contact with water or soil contaminated by animal urine. Common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, chills, vomiting, jaundice, and muscle aches. If not treated, it can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure or respiratory distress. Doxycycline or penicillin antibiotics are used for treatment if given early in the infection. Prevention involves avoiding swimming in contaminated water and wearing protective clothing when exposed to contaminated soil or water.

1. LEPTOSPIROSIS
Madeleine D. Soriño

2.  also known as Weil's syndrome, canicola
fever, canefield fever, nanukayami
fever, 7-day fever, Rat Catcher's
Yellows, Fort Bragg fever, black jaundice
and Pretibial fever

3. PATHOGEN

4.  Leptospirosis is
caused by a
spirochaete
bacterium called
Leptospira spp

5. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

6.  high fever
 severe headache
 Chills
 muscle aches
 Vomiting
 jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
 red eyes
 abdominal pain
 Diarrhea
 rash

7. If the disease is not treated the patient could
develop:
 kidney damage
 meningitis (inflammation of the membrane
around the brain and spinal cord)
 liver failure
 respiratory distress
In rare cases death occurs.

8.  The incubation period (time of exposure
to first symptoms) in animals is anywhere
from 2 to 20 days.

9. MODE OF TRANSMISSION

10.  Humans become infected through
contact with water, food, or soil
containing urine from infected animals.
 This may happen by swallowing
contaminated food or water or through
skin contact, especially with mucosal
surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with
broken skin.

11. Leptospira organisms have been found in
(also in their urine):
 Cattle
 Pigs
 horses
 Dogs
 Rodents
 and wild animals.

13. TREATMENT

14.  antibiotics, such as doxycycline or
penicillin, which should be given early in
the course of the disease
 Intravenous antibiotics may be required
for persons with more severe symptoms.

15. Doxocycline Penicillin

16. Tests for Leptospirosis
 Complete Blood Count
 Urinalysis
 Creatinine
 Dark Ground Illumination
 Leptospirosis IgM Spot Test

17. Complete Blood Count

18. Urinalysis

19. Creatinine

20. Dark Ground Illumination

21. Leptospirosis IgM Spot Test

22. PREVENTIVE MEASURES

23.  not swimming or wading in water that
might be contaminated with animal urine
 Protective clothing or footwear should be
worn by those exposed to contaminated
water or soil because of their job or
recreational activities

25. Reference
 http://www.pathologylabindia.com/lepto
spirosis.htm
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis

26. END