Leptospira (Exam 4) Flashcards
Leptospira is a gram (negative/positive) tightly-coiled, motile _______.
negative
spirochete
Pathogenic Leptospira has ___ (linear/circular) chromosome(s).
2 circular
What is the oxygen requirement for Leptospira?
obligate aerobic
(T/F) Leptospira has an LPS that is highly toxic to its host.
False (not as toxic as others)
Leptospira has an endoflagella located where?
periplasmic space
Leptospira is (sensitive/resistant) to dryness, heat, and disinfectants while (sensitive/resistant) to cool water.
sensitive
resistant
(T/F) Leptospira is highly immunogenic.
True
Leptospira _______ is divided into multiple pathogenic species based on serology & genetic analysis.
interrogans
There are only ___ to ___ serovars of Leptospira that are important pathogens in the US.
6-8
Leptospira interrogans as 4 important serovars:
- Icterohaemorrhagiae
- Canicola
- Pomona
- Bratislava
Leptospira kerschneri has which important serovar?
Grippotyphosa
Leptospira borgpetersenii has which important serovar?
Hardjo
(T/F) Leptospirosis is zoonotic.
True
Leptospirosis causes serious disease in which 3 species?
dogs
cattle
swine
Horses and sheep are relatively _______ to Leptospira.
resistant
_______ are susceptible to Leptospira infection but resistant to clinical disease.
cats
Which wild animal has periodic outbreaks and high death due to Leptospira infection?
sea lions
(T/F) Humans are susceptible to ALL common serovars of Leptospira.
True
Culture of Leptospira is only completed in major diagnostic labs. Which 3 types of samples are used?
- urine
- blood
- tissues (kidney, liver, brain)
Leptospira in culture grows (quickly/slowly).
slowly
Culture of pathogenic Leptospira requires 3 nutritional factors:
- albumin
- lipid
- vitamin B12
For Leptospira culture, _______ and _______ media are used in combination with rabbit serum.
Stuart’s
Fletcher’s
_______ medium is an option for Leptospira culture WIHTOUT added serum.
Ellinghausen
Which selective agent, a pyrimidine antagonist, is required for culture of Leptospira?
5-fluorouracil
Leptospira can be transmitted by enty into which two locations?
- mucosal surfaces (oral, nasal, genital)
- skin (injured/softened)
List 4 routes of Leptospira transmission. Which is most common?
- ingestion (most common)
- venereal
- inhalation
- skin
_______ from infected animals, especially wildlife, is especially important in the spread of Leptospira.
urine
In addition to urine, _________ are another source of Leptospira transmission.
aborted fetuses