MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Leptospirosis

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Leptospirosis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Causes Symptoms Exams and Tests	Treatment Outlook (Prognosis) Possible Complications When to Contact a Medical Professional Prevention

Illustrations

Antibodies

Alternative Names Return to top

Weil disease; Icterohemorrhagic fever; Swineherd's disease; Rice-field fever; Cane-cutter fever; Swamp fever; Mud fever; Hemorrhagic jaundice; Stuttgart disease; Canicola fever

Definition Return to top

Leptospirosis is a rare, severe, and contagious infection caused by several types of the Leptospira bacteria.

Causes Return to top

Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to the bacteria, which can be found in fresh water contaminated by animal urine. It occurs in warmer climates.

Risk factors include:

Occupational exposure -- farmers, ranchers, abattoir workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel.
Recreational activities -- fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and trail biking in warm areas.
Household exposure -- pet dogs, domesticated live stock, rainwater catchment systems, and infestation by infected rodents.

The incidence of leptospirosis is low in the continental U.S. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the U.S.

Symptoms Return to top

Incubation period of 2 - 26 days (average 10 days)
Abrupt onset of fever, rigors, myalgias, and headache in 75 - 100% of patients
Dry cough (25 - 35% of cases)
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (50% of cases)
Less common symptoms include joint aches, bone pain, sore throat, and abdominal pain
Conjunctivitis
Approximately 7 - 40% of patients may have muscle tenderness, an enlarged spleen or liver, enlarged lymph glands, sore throat, muscle rigidity, abnormal lung sounds, or skin rash

Exams and Tests Return to top

Diagnosis is most frequently done by testing the blood for antibodies to the bacteria.

Other tests may be done:

A white blood cell count generally shows less than 10,000 white blood cells.
Urinalysis is usually abnormal.
Higher-than-normal creatine kinase is found in approximately 50% of patients.
About 40% of patients have a slight to moderate increase in liver enzymes.

Treatment Return to top

Penicillins, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin can be given to treat leptospirosis. Supportive care needs to be given in complicated cases.

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

The outlook is generally good, although death is possible if a complicated case is not treated promptly.

Possible Complications Return to top

Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction when penicillin is given
Meningitis
Severe bleeding

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

If you have any of the signs, symptoms, or risk factors for leptospirosis, contact your health care provider.

Prevention Return to top

Avoid areas of stagnant water, especially in tropical climates. If you are exposed to a high risk area, taking doxycycline may decrease your risk of developing disease.

Update Date: 9/25/2006

Updated by: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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