Leptospirosis

INTRODUCTION
It

is an infectious disease caused by various

serovars of leptospira which is characterized
by
septicemia,
haemolytic
anemia,
haemoglobinuria, jaundice, abortion, mastitis
& interstitial nephritis in cattles.
In dogs fever, anorexia, congested mm,
haemorrhages, vomition, polyuria etc.

Etiology
Caused

by gram -ve, aerobic, motile bacteria

which are spiral or filamentous belonging to
2 groups
a)Leptospira interrogans
b)Leptospira krishneri
Over 212 serovars are identified & these are
classified under 23 serogroups.
L.canicola, L.pomona, L.icterohaemorrhagiae,
L.grippotyposa, L.autumnalis, L.hardjo
L.grippotyposa belongs to L.krishneri & rest
of them belongs to L.interrogans.

Host relationship with Leptospira

Epidemiology
Occurrence:
World wide occurrence wherein all the species of
domestic animals are affected.Occur in any age
group. Many wild lives are also susceptible.
It is a zoonotic disease where in it represents
occupational hazard to butchers, farmers & vets.
In rural areas more because of more rhodents.
Transmission(source of infection)
Urine, aborted foetus, infected uterine
discharges.
Rhodents are considered as carriers.
The organisms enter the body through the
cutaneous or mucosal abrasions also.

Risk factors
Frequent

exposure to outside environment,

wild animals, different species of animals.
Contact with affected animals.
Flooding
Infected bedding
Consumption of aborted materials.
Male dogs (4-7) are most susceptible.
Serious form of disease seen in young
animals rather than in old animals.

Pathogenesis
Entry

organisms get into the blood

septicemia
liberate toxin c/a HEMOLYSIN which causes lysis
of RBCs
HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA .
The haemoglobin is released & some is excreted
through the urine resulting in HEMOGLOBINURIA.
Some Hb in the RES is broken down into haem,
porphyrin & globin.
Porphyrin
biliveridin
bilirubin which
accumulates in the blood & coats serosa & mucosa
giving yellow colour which is known as JAUNDICE.
Org localises in internal organs esp in liver &
kidney causes HEPATITIS & INTERSTITIAL
NEPHRITIS respectively.
Bacteria can colonise in renal tubular cells & there
will be a intermittent shedding of bacteria for long
period of time.

Symptoms
Disease occurs in 3 forms
1)Peracute
2)Acute
3)Sub acute / chronic
1)Peracute
No premonitory signs, there will be sudden
death.
Rare in small animals. But in large animls
there will be fever, mastitis, blood mixed
milk, meningitis.

2)Acute
Common in dogs.
Fever, lethargy, anorexia, vomition,
dehydration, congested mm,
petechial/ecchymatic hgs, shivering, nasal
discharge, anterior uvitis, increase in lung
sound on auscultation.
In cattle almost same as in per acute.
3)Sub acute / chronic
Same sym as mentioned above.
Involvement of internal organs, abortion,
icterus, lumbar pain, hypovolemia,
diarrhea(blood mixed), hepatomegaly,
haemoglobinuria, lacrimation, conjuctivitis,
keratitis.

Clinical pathology
Haematology

- TEC, Hb, PLT will be decreased.

SGPT & SGOT levels were increased.
Hyponatremia, hypochloremia &
hyperphosphatemia.
Total protein & albumin will be decreased.

Clinical findings:

Diagnosis
History
Clinical

signs & lesions

On examination - palpation of liver - pain.
mm - congested/icteric
Isolation & identification of the organisms- the samples
to be collected during the acute phase are blood &
during chronic phase. kidney, lungs & pleural fluid
should be collected from aborted foetuses. Liver &
kidneys from the carcasses.
Live animal- urine can be collected.
To demonstrate leptospira dark field microscope can be
used.
From a live animal blood, urine or milk is injected intraperitoneally into the guinea pig or cultured in special
media to isolate the leptospirae.
Suspected material is stained with silver stain, wherein
the leptospirae will take black colour.

 Haematology
Liver

function tests
Serological tests
a) MAT gold standard test.
b)ELISA, FAT,PCR

Treatment
STREPTOMYCIN

which is the drug of

choice & can be administered at 10mg/kg im
for 3-5 days.
Blood transfusion in very severe cases
Administration of haematinics in mild to
moderate cases.
Liver extracts, B-complex preparations are
also administered.

Prevention & control

Follow

good hygienic measures.

Proper dispose of aborted materials.
Exposure to different species are avoided.
Dis-infectants like Calcium chloride, sodium
hypochlorite are used to disinfect premises.
Rhodent control.
Protective clothing in humans.
Vaccination.