Leptospirosis or Weil's disease is a rare bacterial infection that can be fatal. It was classified in 1917.

The infection is often transmitted to humans by allowing fresh water that has been contaminated by rat urine to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin or with the mucous membranes.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. Complications include renal failure, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress (This severe form of the disease is known as Weill's disease). In rare cases death occurs. Final diagnosis is confirmed with serological tests like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)and PCR.

Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals (cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents, and wild animals). Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person.

Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin.

External link

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g.htm

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