Lecture 14. Infections of the Urogenital System 2

Etiology of leptospira spp.

a diverse tightly coiled gram negative species

where does leptospira spp. replicate

in the host

though leptospira spp. are gram negative, they stain poorly and require what to view them

darkfeild

leptospira spp.

this image indicates what species

what conditions are ideal for leptospira spp.

ambient temperature and near neutral pH

infected animals shed leptospira spp. through their...

urine to contaminate the environment

how is leptospira spp. transmitted

1. direct through contaminated urine or transplacental

2. indirect through contaminated water/enviornment

maintenance hosts are considered

longterm asymptomatic carriers in which the bacteria persists

where does leptospira spp. persist in an anaimal

renal tubules

rodents are a maintenance host for what leptospira spp.

serovar icterohaemorrhagiae

cattle are a maintenance host for what leptospira spp.

serovar hardjo

dogs are a maintenance host for what leptospira spp.

serovar canicola

how would you describe an incidental host of leptospira spp.

animal that acquires an infection from a carrier and suffers acute disease

dogs, cattle, and humans are all incidental hosts of what leptospira spp.

serovar icterohaemorrhagiae

humans are an incidental host for what leptospira spp.

serovar canicola

how do leptospira spp. cause disease in their host

penetrate intact MM or abraded skin to enter circulation and multiply

what are some of the virulence factors that leptospira spp. have

1. adhesions (LipL32, LenA-F)

2. factor H binding proteins (Len proteins)

3. hemolysin

4. LPS

what is the common result of leptospira spp. infection in most animals

renal colonization

canine lepto is associated with what strains

canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae, bratislava, grippotyphosa, pomona

what form of canine lepto causes highly fatal fever and MM hemorrhage in puppies

acute form

what form of canine lepto affects the kidneys and causes oliguria and severe renal azotemia

uremic type

what form of canine lepto leads to focal hepatic necrosis and icterus 6-8 days post onset

icteric type

leptospirosis

this dog was likely suffering from what disease

what strains of lepto affect sheep and cattle leading to pyrexia, galactica, and abortions

hardjo, pomona, grippotyphosa, icterohaemorrhagiae

how do we treat lepto in cattle and sheep

streptomycin or amoxicillin

what strains of lepto are associated with horses and lead to abortion, renal disease, and equine recurrent uveitis

pomona in USA and bratislava in Europe

equine recurrent uveitis

this horse is likely suffering from what condition caused by lepto

how can we diagnose leptospirosis

1. urine analysis

2. blood profile (azotemia)

3. culture and microscopy (difficult)

4. MAT (most common and preferred)

5. qPCR (lipl32)

azotemia is an increase in what blood components

BUN and creatinine

what species are lepto vaccines available for (remember you cannot distinguish vaccinated vs. infected)

canine, bovine, equine

zoonotic potential of lepto

an extremely zoonotic pathogen that is a risk for soldiers, vets, pet owners, etc...

what are the two forms of lepto in people

1. Weil's syndrome: highly fatal and severe

2. Mild form: flu like symptoms (anicteric phase)

lesptospira

a person presenting with this is likely infected with...