leptospirosis
Between 100 and 200 cases of leptospirosis are reported in the United States each year. Almost 75% of cases of leptospirosis in N. America occur in males. About 50% of these cases occur in Hawaii.
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Leptospirosis is called a zoonosis because it is a disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans. It can be a very serious problem in the livestock industry.
Leptospirosis in the streams
Vaccinate against it
penicillin
tick
"Ictero" refers to jaundice, and "hemorrhagic" refers to a propensity towards bleeding. In certain forms of leptospirosis, patients develop a condition known as Weil's disease, or icterohemorrhagic leptospirosis. This is a severe form of leptospirosis, and leads to liver and kidney disease (the liver disease results in jaundice). These patients may also suffer from anemia, fever, and hemorrhage.
A rare complication of antibiotic therapy for leptospirosis is the occurrence of the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, which is characterized by fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain.
Leptospirosis is an infection caused by bacteria of the Leptospira type. The pathophysiology is that infection is initiated through direct or indirect contact with urine of infected animals.