Leptospirosis / Leptospira Flashcards
what is a defining feature about the physical characteristics of leptospira
both ends are hooked
what can you say about the structure of leptospira
gram negative with the presence of LPS and cell envelope
what stain technique can be used to visualize leptospira
Warthin Starry and Giemsa
how is leptospira best observed
darkfield microscope
what is the transmission of Leptospira spp.
-urine of reservoir hosts and infected animals
- contact with infected uterine discharge/ placental fluids
how can Leptospira spp. enter the body
- broken skin
-mucous membranes
what type of transmission is associated with Leptospira spp.
direct and indirect
where are problems with Leptospira spp. more prevalent
wet areas such as:
- tropical
-flood zones
-stagnant H2O (ponds)
what are some virulence factors of Leptospira spp.
- flagella
-haemolysins - several surface proteins (adhesins)
-LPS
what is the clinical results of an increase of organisms growing the body
clinical disease leading to:
-death
- chronic active hepatitis
-leptospiruria (carrier state)
how is Leptospira spp. eliminated from the body
kidney / urine
what are the common clinical signs of a dog with Leptospirosis
- biphasic
- leptopiremic phase
- leptospiruric phase
what are the common clinical signs of the Leptospiremic phase
lethargy
pyrexia
anorexia
weakness
conjunctival suffusion
haemorrhages
what are common clinical signs of Leptospiruric phase
renal failure
kidney failure
respiratory failure
death
what clinical presentation is associated with servar Icterohaemorrhagiae and Copenhageni
acute haemorrhagic disease
what is the clinical presentation of the serovar canicola
uraemic type:
-extensive kidney damage
-ulcerative stomatitis
what are the clinical signs of L. pomona in cattle
abortion storms
what is the clinical presentation of L. hardjo in cattle
infertility and sporadic abortions
(milk drop syndrome)
what is the clinical presentation of L. pomona, grippotyphosa and Icterohaemorrhagiae
haemoglobinuria
jaundice
pyrexia
what are the clinical signs in pigs
infertility
abortions
stillbirths
what are the clinical signs in horses
recurrent iridocyclitis
acute renal failure
occasional abortion
what is used to diagnose Leptospira spp.
Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT)
what indirect method could be used to diagnose Leptospirosis
-4-fold increase antibody titre between 7-14 days
- ELISA for rapid results
what can be used as a direct method of diagnosis of Leptospirosis
-PCR test of blood and urine but expensive
- Blood Culture in a heparinized tube (green)
