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Leptospirosis - Overview

Alternative Names

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

Definition of Leptospirosis:

Leptospirosis is a rare, severe, and contagious bacterial infection.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to several types of the Leptospira bacteria, which can be found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine. It occurs in warmer climates.

Risk factors include:

Occupational exposure -- farmers, ranchers, slaughterhouse 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 livestock, rainwater catchment systems, and infected rodents.

Leptospirosis is rare in the continental U.S. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the U.S.

Antibodies

Reviewed last on: 8/3/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Ko AI. Leptospirosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 344.

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