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$Unique_ID{BRK03930}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Leptospirosis}
$Subject{Leptospirosis Canefield Fever Canicola Fever Field Fever Mud Fever
Seven Day Fever Spirochetosis Swineherd Disease Weil Syndrome Meningitis}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
389:
Leptospirosis
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Leptospirosis) is not the
name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next page to
find alternate names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorder covered by
this article.
Synonyms
Canefield Fever
Canicola Fever
Field Fever
Mud Fever
Seven Day Fever
Spirochetosis
Swineherd Disease
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report.
Weil Syndrome
Meningitis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the
"Resources" section of this report.
Leptospirosis is an inclusive term for all bacterial infections caused by
any Leptospira bacteria, regardless of the type. A single type of bacteria
may cause various clinical symptoms, or a single syndrome such as aseptic
meningitis may be caused by many types of this bacteria.
Symptoms
Leptospirosis is an infection caused by Leptospira bacteria. This infection
may occur in several domestic and wild animals. The disorder can vary from a
form without apparent symptoms to a very serious life threatening form.
Animals carrying the infection can pass leptospira bacteria in their urine
for months. The infection seems to be passed to humans, usually during hot
weather, through direct contact with an infected animal's urine or tissue.
Sometimes the infection is transferred indirectly through contaminated water
or soil. Breaks in the skin and exposed mucous membranes (such as the
conjunctiva, nose, or mouth) are the usual portals of entry in man.
The incubation period for the Leptospira bacteria ranges from 2 to 20
days. The disorder characteristically occurs in two phases. The
leptospiremic phase starts abruptly with headache, pain behind the eyeball
(retroorbital), lack of appetite (anorexia), severe muscle aches, chills,
sweating, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Constipation, diarrhea, symptoms of
the common cold, coughing, chest pain, a stiff neck, and difficulty breathing
(dyspnea) may also occur. Enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly) and liver
(hepatomegaly) are uncommon, but may occur. This phase usually lasts 4 to 9
days, with recurrent chills and fever that spikes to over 39 degrees C (102
F), and then abates.
On the 6th to 12th day of illness, the second (or immune) phase of
Leptospirosis occurs. Antibodies appear in the blood serum. Fever and
earlier symptoms may recur and symptoms of irritated membranes lining the
brain (meningismus) may develop. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid
after the 7th day shows a greater than normal number of cells (pleocytosis)
in at least 50% of patients. Inflammation of the iris and the ciliary body
behind the iris (iridocyclitis), the optic nerve (optic neuritis), and
peripheral disease of the nerves (neuropathy) may occur infrequently. If
acquired during pregnancy, Leptospirosis may cause abortion even during the
period of convalescence.
Causes
Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira which can be
found in the urine or tissue of an infected domestic or wild animal. It is
transferred to humans through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes.
Affected Population
Leptospirosis may occur in people of all ages. At least 75% of persons
infected with Leptospirosis are male. The infection can be an occupational
disorder striking farmers, veterinarians, or sewer and abattoir workers, but
most patients are exposed incidentally during recreational activities.
Related Disorders
Many types of bacterial infections may cause fever and other symptoms similar
to the symptoms of Leptospirosis.
Weil Syndrome is a severe form of bacterial infection caused by
Leptospira bacteria (Leptospirosis) causing abnormal liver and kidney
function. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Weil Syndrome" as
your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Meningitis is an infection of the membrane lining the skull or the spinal
cavity (meninges) by either bacteria or viruses. (For more information on
this disorder, choose "Meningitis" as your search term in the Rare Disease
Database.)
Therapies: Standard
Antibiotics such as penicillin, streptomycin, the tetracyclines,
chloramphenicol, and erythromycin may be effective if used before the 4th day
after onset of symptoms of Leptospirosis.
Mechanical ventilation has been used successfully in treating respiratory
distress in Leptospirosis patients.
Peritoneal dialysis in combination with treatment with antibiotics has
been used successfully to treat severe liver and kidney failure in patients
with Leptospirosis.
Therapies: Investigational
Studies are underway to determine the role of antigens and antibodies in
treating Leptospirosis infections. However, treatments have not been
established as yet.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
September 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Leptospirosis, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3534
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases (NIAID)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5717
References
LEPTOSPIRAL EXPOSURE IN DETROIT RODENT CONTROL WORKERS: Demers; American
Journal for Public Health (September 1985: issue 75,9). Pp. 1090-1091.
CURRENT CLINICAL ASPECTS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS: F. Suter, et al.; Minerva
Medica (May 12, 1983: issue 74,20). Pp. 1187-1190. (Published in Italian.)