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Leptospirosis occurs worldwide, but it is most commonly acquired in the tropics. The Leptospira bacteria can infect both animals and humans. The bacteria are excreted through urine.
Human infection occurs through direct contact with the urine of an infected animal or by contact with a urine-contaminated environment, such as water, soil or plants. Once the bacteria gains access into the body, it spreads rapidly within 24 hours, causing damage to almost every organ.
Leptospirosis typically progresses through two phases of non-specific symptoms. Initial symptoms of the disease include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea and rash. The disease is usually self-limiting i.e. the patients who do not develop complications in the liver (i.e. they develop jaundice) usually recover. However 5% - 30% of untreated patients die due to involvement of the kidney - acute renal failure.
Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics like penicillin, ampicillin, or azithromycin. The prognosis of leptospirosis is generally good. It is rarely fatal.
Latest Publications and Research on Leptospirosis
- Clinical presentations and predictors of mortality for leptospirosis - A study from suburban area in Malaysia. - Published by PubMed
- Leptospiral shedding and seropositivity in shelter dogs in the Cumberland Gap Region of Southeastern Appalachia. - Published by PubMed
- Acute kidney injury due to Leptospira interrogans in 4 foals and use of renal replacement therapy with intermittent hemodiafiltration in 1 foal. - Published by PubMed
- Searching and finding the hidden treasure: Rickettsial disease among Dutch international travelers - a retrospective analysis. - Published by PubMed
- Clinical presentations and predictors of mortality for leptospirosis - A study from suburban area in Malaysia. - Published by PubMed
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Dr. Trupti Shirole. (2014, September 23). Leptospirosis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs - Reference. Medindia. Retrieved on May 23, 2022 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/leptospirosis.htm.
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Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Leptospirosis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs - Reference". Medindia. May 23, 2022. <https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/leptospirosis.htm>.
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Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Leptospirosis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs - Reference". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/leptospirosis.htm. (accessed May 23, 2022).
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Dr. Trupti Shirole. 2021. Leptospirosis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs - Reference. Medindia, viewed May 23, 2022, https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/leptospirosis.htm.
We here in Thailand are being told there is no reason to panice about any water borne deseases in the current floods. We have thousands of tons of uncollected rubbish floating in the water animal and human waste. What can we do to minimise the risk of contacting leptospirosis cholera malaria etc. Is there som medicine we can take to lesson the risks. many thanks Paul
Need proper diagnostic set ups and patients must check up promptly and early for leptospirosis; or else leads to multi organ disorder to multiple organ failure
Dr. Prabhu Nagarajan, India Date: 04.02.2009
Whenever patients are coming with fever it is better that the doctor ask them to go for three tests namely MALARIA,WIDAL and LEPTOSPIROSIS.By doing this we can prevent the spreding of disease
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