Leptospira

Published on 25/03/2015 by admin

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Last modified 25/03/2015

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Chapter 212 Leptospira

Leptospirosis is a common and widespread zoonosis in the world and is caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira.

Clinical Manifestations

The spectrum of human leptospirosis ranges from asymptomatic infection (most cases) to severe disease with multiorgan dysfunction and death. The onset is usually abrupt, and the illness tends to follow a biphasic course (Fig. 212-1). After an incubation period of 7-12 days, there is an initial or septicemic phase lasting 2-7 days, during which leptospires can be isolated from the blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and other tissues. This phase may be followed by a brief period of well-being before onset of a second symptomatic immune or leptospiruric phase. This phase is associated with the appearance of circulating antibody, disappearance of organisms from the blood and CSF, and appearance of signs and symptoms associated with localization of leptospires in the tissues. Despite the presence of circulating antibody, leptospires can persist in the kidney, urine, and aqueous humor. The immune phase can last for several weeks. Symptomatic infection may be anicteric or icteric.

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Figure 212-1 Stages of anicteric and icteric leptospirosis. Correlation between clinical findings and presence of leptospires in body fluids, CSF, cerebrospinal fluid.

(Reprinted with permission from Feigin RD, Anderson DC: Human leptospirosis, CRC Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 5:413–467, 1975. Copyright CRC Press, Inc, Boca Raton, FL.)