What is the pathogenesis of leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a neglected tropical zoonosis caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Infected reservoir animals, typically mice and rats, are asymptomatic, carry the pathogen in their renal tubules, and shed pathogenic spirochetes in their urine, contaminating the environment.

What does Leptospira interrogans cause?

What diseases are caused by Leptospira interrogans? Leptospirosis is known by many other names including Weir’s disease, Canicola fever, Hemorrhagic jaundice, Mud fever, and Swineherd disease. Clinical illness, generally occurring in two stages (febrile and immune), lasts from a few days to three weeks or longer.

What are the potential virulence factors of Leptospira?

Several candidate virulence factors have been identified that might contribute to the pathogenesis of Leptospira infection and disease, including LPS (which is thought of as a general virulence factor of Gram-negative bacteria), hemolysins, outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and other surface proteins, as well as adhesion …

How does leptospirosis attack and spread?

Transmission can occur by direct contact with infected animals or, more commonly, through indirect contact with water or soil contaminated with urine from infected animals. Leptospires enter the body by penetrating mucous membranes or skin abrasions and disseminate through the hematogenic route.

Is leptospirosis bacterial or viral?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected persons, however, may have no symptoms at all.

Is leptospirosis a virus or bacteria?

What is the incubation period of leptospirosis in humans?

Clinical Features Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting/diarrhea, cough, conjunctival suffusion, jaundice, and sometimes a rash. The incubation period is usually 5–14 days, with a range of 2–30 days.

What is the test for leptospirosis?

The most common way to diagnose leptospirosis is through serological tests either the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) which detects serovar-specific antibodies, or a solid-phase assay for the detection of Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies.

What antibiotics treat leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is treated with 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. Persons with symptoms suggestive of leptospirosis should contact a health care provider.

What kind of bacteria is leptospirosis caused by?

• Leptospirosis is a disease that is caused by spirochete bacteria in the genus Leptospira. There are 10 pathogenic species, and more than 250 pathogenic serovars. • While leptospirosis occurs worldwide, it is more common in tropical or sub-tropical climates.

How is Leptospira interrogans related to vasculitis?

Leptospirosis is actually a generalized vasculitis. The pathogens damage mainly the endothelial cells of the capillaries, leading to greater permeability and hemorrhage and interrupting the oxygen supply to the tissues. Jaundice is caused by a non necrotic hepatocellular dysfunction.

How is leptospirosis a neglected tropical zoonosis?

Leptospirosis is a neglected tropical zoonosis caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Infected reservoir animals, typically mice and rats, are asymptomatic, carry the pathogen in their renal tubules, and shed pathogenic spirochetes in their urine, contaminating the environment.

How does Leptospira affect the parenchymatous organs?

They then establish themselves in the parenchymatous organs (particularly liver and kidneys), producing hemorrhage and necrosis of tissue and resulting in dysfunction of those organs (jaundice, hemorrhage, nitrogen retention). Leptospirosis is actually a generalized vasculitis.