Leptospirosis

Question 1

An infectious bacterial disease carried by animals both domestic and wild, whose urine contaminates water or food which is ingested or inoculated through the skin

Answer 1

Leptospirosis

Question 2

Other terms of Leptospirosis (FRPWCHMS)

Answer 2

• field fever
  • rat catcher’s yellows
  • pretibial fever
  • Weir’s disease
  • Canicola fever
  • Hemorrhagic jaundice • Mud fever
  • Swineherd disease

Question 3

CAUSATIVE AGENT OF LEPTOSPIROSIS

Answer 3

Leptospira interrogans

Question 4

Are chiefly saprophytic aquatic organisms which are found in the river and lake water.

Answer 4

Leptospira interrogans

Question 5

150 serotypes divided among 18 serogroups, some species are pathogenic to man and animals.

Answer 5

Leptospira interrogans

Question 6

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Answer 6

• Fever
  • Intense headache
  • Severe muscle ache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Red eye
  • Skin rash (occasionally)

Question 7

MOT

Answer 7

• Transmitted through ingestion or contact.
• Can be transmitted through mucuos membrane of
  the eyes, nose, and through a break on the skin.
• Leptospira enters the blood to cause damage, thereafter, in the kidneys, liver, meninges and conjunctiva.
• Also can be transmitted by semen of infected animals.
• Occupational risk factors include veterenarians, slaughter, house workers, farmers and fewer workers.
• Direct human to human transmission is rare.

Question 8

LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS

Answer 8

• Blood urea – nitrogen urea
• Enzyme link immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA)
• Liver function tests usually are slightly to moderately elevated:
  -Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
  -Gamma – glutamyltransferase (GGT)
• Leptospira antigen – antibody test (LAAT)
• Leptospira antibody test ( LAT)

Question 9

MANAGEMENT

Answer 9

• Isolate the patient, urine must be properly disposed of.
• Darken patient’s room because light is irritating to the eyes of the patient.
• Observe meticulous skin care to ease prupitus.
• Keep client’s under close surveillance.
• For home care, clean near dirty places, pools and stagnant water.
• Eradicate rats and rodents.
• Facilitate health education on the modes of transmission of the disease.
• Encourage oral fluid intake.

Question 10

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Answer 10

• Sanitationinhomes,workplaces,farmsisamust. Need for proper drainage system and conrtol rodents. Animals must be vaccinated.
• Infected humans and pets should be treated.
• Information – dissemination campaign must be conducted effectively.