Leptospira and Treponema Flashcards
What is the difference between spiral bacteria and spirochetes?
Spirochetes have a flagellum within their peri-plasmic space
What is the function of the flagellum within the peri-plasmic space?
It allows the bacteria to move through very viscous material
Who are the reservoirs for leptospirosis?
Nearly any animal can be a reservoir
*****rats are the most common
What is used to classify leptospira?
serovars and serogroups (based upon their carbohydrate antigen)
Species (defined by their DNA homology)
T/F: Elevated BUN/Creat and calcium on chemistry and elevated neutrophil/monocyte count on bloodwork would make you suspicious of a lepto infection
TRUE (if clinical signs also match)
Lepto is present in the renal tubules of the kidney so elevated renal values are expected. High neutrophils/monocytes are characteristic of a bacterial infection
How do most humans and dogs contract lepto?
From contaminated water!
Absorbed through moist skin, wounds, or mucus membranes
How is lepto spread from carriers?
In the urine!
Can run off, and survive in moist soil, water, and mud
What dz processes does pathogenic lepto cause in dogs and humans?
Hepatic failure Pulmonic hemorrhage (FATAL)
T/F: Leptospirosis is biphasic
TRUE
T/F: Leptospirurea comes before Leptospiremia
FALSE - blood infection prior to lepto getting into the urine
T/F: If you have a dog in the first week of leptospira infection - a urine sample would be best for diagnosis
FALSE - blood is best in the first 2 weeks of infection
What clinical signs might you seen in a dog with pathogenic leptospirosis?
Acute fever, Jaundice, nephritis, abortion in pregnant animals, Pulmonary hemorrhage,
How long do incidental lepto hosts shed the bacteria in their urine?
For a short time compared to maintenance hosts who shed lepto in their urine long term
If a dog has been vaccinated for lepto, can that interfere with dx testing?
YES.
Difficult to distinguish between prior vaccination and a previously recovered animal
What tests should be run to maximize the diagnostic capabilities when ruling out leptospirosis?
FA and or PCR on blood and urine
Plus MAT on serum **Gold standard test
This will ensure you are testing samples from each stage of the dz
Cattle are often _____ hosts of leptospira
Maintenance hosts
The distribution of titers for various serovars of leptospira is due to:
A - Infection with multiple serovars
B - due to cross reactivity of antigens which is very common in initial stages of infection
B
Phenomenon of presence of titers to multiple non-infecting serovars is known as…?
Paradoxical reactions
What antimicrobials are used to treat animals (dogs) with acute phase leptospirosis?
Penicillins: Ampicillin and amoxicillin
What antimicrobials are used to treat animals (dogs) with the carrier phase of leptospirosis?
Doxycycline
post exposure prophylaxis state
T/F: Lepto vaccines provide a long lasting immunity
FALSE
Leptospira are considered to be gram negative or gram positive?
GRAM NEGATIVE
What serovar of lepto is most commonly found in cattle? What does it cause?
Leptospira borapetersennii
*failure to reproduce
What sample should be collected to test a cow for lepto? What is important about sample collection and packaging?
Urine sample for FA and PCR
Need to collect urine MID-STREAM
Sample needs to be overnighted to lab
