Classification: ICD-9 100; ICD-10 A27
Syndromes and synonyms: Weil disease, swamp fever, cane cutters disease, hemorrhagic jaundice, swineherd disease.
Agent: Multiple species of the spirochetal genus, including Leptospira interrogans, which is the species associated with most severe disease. There are currently 8 species found to be pathogenic for humans, associated with >250 serovars belonging to the pathogenic species. Antigenically related serovars are grouped into 24 serogroups. A single serovar may belong to different Leptospira species.
Reservoir: Rats and other rodents, dogs, cattle, and pigs are the most important zoonotic reservoirs of human infection.
Transmission: Direct contact of abraded skin or conjunctival mucosa to urine of infected animals or exposure to environmental sources where urine is deposited. Infection via ingestion is uncommon.
Cycle: Leptospira chronically colonize the proximal renal tubules of many animals and are excreted in the urine into the environment. Animals can shed Leptospira into the environment for prolonged periods without any signs of disease.
Incubation period: 1–3 weeks.
Clinical findings
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