Leptospira spp.

• Leptospira spp.

  • tightly twisted with one or both ends bent into a hook
• Leptospira biflexa

  • non pathogenic
  • found in water and soil
• Leptospira interrogans

  • Agent : leptospirosis
  • Shed in urine of animals
  • Weils disease - severe form of leptospirosis
• Principle of leptospiral disease

  1. Icterohemorrhagiae - weils disease
  2. Canicola - infectious jaundice
  3. Autumnalis - fort bragg or pretibial fever
  4. Grippotyphosa - Marsch fever
  5. Hebdomadis - 7 day fever
  6. Mitis - Swine herds disease
• Culture specimens

  • Blood - early infection
  • Urine - 2nd week
• Media

  • Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harris Medium
  • Fletchers and Stuart (6-8 weeks)