Leptospirosis. A re-emerging zoonotic disease

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2003 Jul;33(4):791-807. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(03)00026-3.

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging infectious disease that occurs in dogs in urban and rural environments. It is caused by a filamentous spiral bacterium that has a predilection for renal tubules. Acute renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, and hemorrhagic diathesis are the most common clinical signs. Treatment with antibiotics and supportive care can manage a high percentage of cases successfully. Newer vaccines developed in response to the change in frequency of certain serovars may decrease the incidence of clinical disease. Leptospirosis affects a wide variety of species and is zoonotic.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis
  • Dog Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Dog Diseases / therapy
  • Dogs
  • Leptospirosis / prevention & control
  • Leptospirosis / veterinary*
  • Zoonoses