Leptospirosis is also known as Weil’s disease, Canicola fever, canefield fever, 7 day fever etc.
WHAT IS LEPTOSPIROSIS?
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, invented in the year 1886. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by spirochetes of genus Leptospira characterized by the symptoms like enlargement of spleen, jaundice and nephritis. This infection is transmitted in humans by allowing fresh water that has been contaminated by feces and urine of animals to come in contact with the wounds in skin, mucus membrane and eye.
HOW IT IS SPREAD?
Leptospirosis is transmitted by the urine of an infected animal, and is contagious as long as it is still moist. Deer, cows, sheep, rats, raccoons, possums, voles, skunks, mice, specific marine mammals and even infected dogs may serve as hosts. Dogs may lick the urine of an infected animal off the grass, or drink from an infected puddle. There have even been reports of "house dogs" getting Leptospirosis apparently from licking the urine of infected mice that entered the house. There is a direct correlation between the amount of rainfall and the incidence of Leptospirosis, making it seasonal in temperate climates and year-round in tropical climates.
Men become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person. Leptospirosis is common among water sport enthusiasts in specific areas as prolonged immersion in water is known to promote the entry of the bacteria. Occupational risk factors include veterinarians, slaughter house workers, farmers, and sewer workers.
INCUBATION PERIOD:
In animals the incubation period is somewhere between 2 to 20 days.
In men the incubation period is somewhere between 4 to 14 days.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS?
Symptoms of Leptospirosis include high grade fever with chills, headache, severe body ache, nausea, vomiting, and eye inflammation. In more severe cases, the illness can result in liver damage and jaundice, kidney failure, and internal bleeding. People who are seriously ill with leptospirosis often need to be hospitalized.
Complications of Leptospirosis include meningitis, respiratory distress, renal failure and often liver failure. Approximately 5-50% of severe leptospirosis cases are fatal.
HOW IT IS DIAGNOSED?
For the first 7 to 10 days, bacteria are found in blood and then after they are found in urine. So the laboratory test include following investigations.
► CBC ESR
► URINE ROUTINE
► BLOOD CULTURE
► URINE CULTURE
► LIVER FUNCTION TEST
► KIDNEY FUNCTION TEST
► FRESH KIDNEY BIOPSY
► BLEEDING TIME
► CLOTTING TIME.
Diagnosis of leptospirosis is confirmed with tests such as Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and PCR. Serological testing, the MAT (microscopic agglutination test), is considered the gold standard in diagnosing leptospirosis.
WHO IS AT THE HIGHER RISK FOR LEPTOSPIROSIS?
► People who take part in freshwater recreational activities in areas where leptospirosis is common, especially during the rainy season or in times of flooding.
► Farmers, workers in rice fields, sewer workers, and others whose jobs involve contact with water or mud that is contaminated by animal urine, especially the urine of rodents.
► Veterinarians and others in contact with leptospirosis-affected animals.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF LEPTOSPIROSIS?
Antibiotics like Doxycycline, amoxicillin, ampicillin are found effective in the treatment of Leptospirosis. Doxycycline is also used as prophylaxis for Leptospirosis. Severely ill persons might need intravenous antibiotic treatment and other supportive care.
HOW CAN LEPTOSPIROSIS BE PREVENTED ?
► Minimize contact with fresh water, mud, and vegetation that might be contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rodents.
► Wear protective clothing, such as waterproof boots or waders, when participating in recreational or work activities that might result in contact with contaminated water.
► If your travel plans might put you at risk for leptospirosis, consider taking antibiotics before and during travel to help prevent infection from short-term, high-risk exposures.
