Question 1

what are the tests for leptospirosis?

Accepted Answer

See below: Clinical features and lab testing are not specific, a high index of suspicion must be maintained for the diagnosis.  Cultures can be done growing the bacteria.  Serologic test:  labs and include the microscopic agglutination test (mat), macroscopic agglutination test, indirect hemagglutination, and elisa.  Mat is considered the gold standard.  Molecular techniques (pcr) are being developed.

Question 2

what are the symptoms of leptospirosis?

Accepted Answer

Flu-like symptoms: The disease starts with a fever, headache, and other flu-like symptoms.  After recovering from those symptoms, you can then go on to develop meningitis, kidney failure, and liver damage with jaundice.

Question 3

what choices do i have for treating leptospirosis?

Accepted Answer

A few choices: If the patient isn't so sick, then oral Doxycycline is a good choice. In sicker patients, penicillin g IV therapy is preferred. More recent trials have shown that third-generation cephalosporins are as effective as Doxycycline and penicillin in treating this disease. The crucial step is to actually be thinking about this diagnosis in the right situation.

Question 4

how is leptospirosis transmitted and how is it treated?

Accepted Answer

Surroundings: Humans most often become infected after exposure to environmental sources, such as animal urine, contaminated water or soil, or infected animal tissue. Portals of entry include cuts or abraded skin, mucous membranes or conjunctiva. The vast majority of infections with leptospira are self-limiting. Although penicillins, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and Erythromycin have antileptospiral activity.

Question 5

does rat bite cause leptospirosis?

Accepted Answer

Rat bites: Rat bites can cause diseases including rat bite fever, localized abscesses, cellulitis and even tetanus among others. Leptospirosis is associated with rodents although usually it's their urine causing infection. Worse, the rats urine can contaminate water sources and u can contract leptospirosis from that. Rats can facilitate other diseases including plague, tularemia, hanta virus and others.

Question 6

what is the biology of leptospirosis infections?

Accepted Answer

See below: Leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria (spirochete) called leptospirosis interrogans.  It is mainly a tropical disease but does occur in temperate climates too.  It can have a variable course from presentation as a subclinical illness followed by antibody response and a self-limiting infection, or a severe, potentially fatal illness with multiorgan failure.  See www.Cdc.Gov/leptospirosis/ for more.

Question 7

can a woman die from leptospirosis contracted by drinking from an infected soda can?

Accepted Answer

Leptospirosis is: Spread through water contaminated with urine usually from rodents. It would be unlikely for this to occur from the inside of an unopened soda can but the top could be contaminated.  Leptospirosis can be fatal but not commonly.

Question 8

my dog has leptospirosis, currently under treatment.  should i get my children and spouse and myself checked, too?

Accepted Answer

Discuss With Doctor: Human Leptospirosis infection can occur mainly from exposure to urine of an infected animal. 90% of infections occur with mild or no symptoms. Severe illness can result in jaundice, kidney failure &amp; more. Symptoms are: fever, chills, headache, nausea, rash &amp; more. Treated with antibiotics (AB). Recommend you discuss exposure w/ your doctor to monitor for symptoms &amp; to discuss treatment options.

Question 9

what is the life cycle of leptospirosis ?

Accepted Answer

See answer below: The following link provides a fairly detailed description:

http://www.leptospirosis.org/life-cycle-of-pathogenic-leptospires/

Question 10

what is the definition or description of: leptospirosis?

Accepted Answer

Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can infect both   humans &amp; animals.

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Leptospirosis in the liver

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What are the tests for leptospirosis?

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What are the symptoms of leptospirosis?

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What choices do i have for treating leptospirosis?

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How is leptospirosis transmitted and how is it treated?

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Does rat bite cause leptospirosis?

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What is the biology of leptospirosis infections?

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Can a woman die from leptospirosis contracted by drinking from an infected soda can?

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My dog has leptospirosis, currently under treatment. should i get my children and spouse and myself checked, too?

A member asked:

What is the life cycle of leptospirosis ?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: leptospirosis?

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