Leptospirosis

What is leptospirosis and what are its symptoms?

Leptospirosis is a disease which is quite uncommon in Wisconsin. It is caused by several strains of a bacterium called Leptospira. Illness can range from mild to severe. Leptospirosis can cause fever, headache, severe muscle pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal upset. Less frequently, it can result in meningitis, liver and kidney dysfunction, and eye inflammation. Severe cases occur more commonly in older persons and can result in death.

How is it spread?

Many species of wild and domestic animals (including dogs, cattle, horses, swine, rodents, and deer) are susceptible to leptospirosis and can excrete the bacteria in their urine. Their urine can then contaminate water, moist soil, or vegetation with the Leptospira bacterium. Humans can acquire the infection if this contaminated material contacts abraded skin, mucous membranes, or is ingested. Because infected humans can also pass the bacterium in their urine, person-to-person transmission is possible but rarely occurs.

Who is at risk of contracting leptospirosis?

Although all persons are susceptible, this uncommon infection occurs mainly in persons whose occupation brings them into contact with animals or with material contaminated with animal urine. Farmers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, sewer workers, and miners are at greater risk of exposure. Although rare, exposures can also occur during recreational activities such as camping or swimming, when there may be contact with or ingestion of contaminated water. Leptospirosis occurs most often in the summer and in warm climates.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 13 days after exposure, with a range of 2 to 26 days.

How is leptospirosis diagnosed?

The diagnosis can be made by culturing the Leptospira bacterium from body fluids, or by finding elevated levels of antibodies to the bacterium in the patient's blood. Because of non-specific symptoms during early infection, leptospirosis is frequently not considered as a diagnosis until later in illness.

What is the treatment for leptospirosis?

Several antibiotics such as penicillin, doxycycline, tetracycline, clindamycin, and erythromycin can be used to treat leptospirosis. Some severely ill patients may require kidney dialysis.

If someone has had leptospirosis previously, can they become reinfected?

Once a person has leptospirosis, they will be immune to another infection with the same strain of Leptospira. However, infection can occur with a different strain and illness may again result.

What can be done to prevent the spread of leptospirosis?

For person in high-risk occupations, the use of protective clothing, boots, and gloves will minimize exposure. Similar protection should also be worn when disposing of dead animals and when gutting (cleaning) your animals or livestock.

Recognizing and avoiding potentially contaminated water and soil during recreational activities, and rodent control in areas where humans and domestic animals live can also reduce the risk of exposure. Avoid swimming or wading in freshwater streams, ponds, or lakes with open cuts or sores. Avoid intake of water in the mouth when swimming in freshwater streams, ponds, or lakes. Do not drink stream, pond or lake water without boiling, filtering or chemical treatment. Drain areas that have stagnant or standing water.

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.