CASE STUDY OF LEPTOSPIROSIS

Synonym:
Weil’s Dse, Mud fever, Canicola fever, Flood fever,
Swineherd’s Dse, Japanese Seven Days fever

Definition & Background:

• a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira that

affects humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds,
amphibians, and reptiles
• first described by Adolf Weil in 1886 when he reported an “acute infectious disease
with enlargement of spleen, jaundice and nephritis”

Causative Agent:

• Leptospira-genus bacteria was isolated in 1907 from post mortem renal tissue
slice
• commonly found: Leptospira pyrogenes, Leptospira manilae, & other species like
L. icterohemorrhagiae, L. canicola, L. batavia, L. Pomona, L. javinica
• in animals often is subclinical; an infected animal may appear healthy even as it
sheds leptospires in its urine; humans are dead-end hosts for the leptospire

Predisposing Factors:
 • age: < 15 years of age
• sex: male
• season: rainy months
• geographic: prevalent in slum areas

Source of Infection

Infection comes form contaminated food and water, and infected wild life and domestic
animals especially rodents.

1. Rats ( L. leterohemoragiae) are the source of Weil’s disease frequently observed

among miners, sewer, and abattoir workers.
2. Dogs (L. canicola) can also be the source of infection among veterinarians,
breeders, and owners of dogs.
3. Mice (L. grippotyphosa) may alos be a source of infection that attacks farmers
and flax workers.
4. Rats (L. bataviae) are the source of infection that attacks ricefield workers.

Modes of Transmission

Incubation Period:

• 6 – 15 days/ 2 – 8 weeks

Clinical Manifestations:
1st stage: Septicemic/ Leptospiremic Phase (4 – 7 days)
- onset of high remittent fever, chills, headache, anorexia, nausea & vomiting,
abdominal pain, joint pains, muscle pains, myalgia, severe prostration, cough, respiratory
distress, bloody sputum.

2nd stage: Immune/ Toxic Phase (4 – 30 days)

- if severe, death may occur between the 9th & 16th day

2 types:

• Anicteric (without jaundice) – return of fever of a lower degree with rash,

conjunctival injection, headache, meningeal manifestations like disorientation,
convulsions & signs of meningeal irritations (with CSF finding of aseptic
meningitis)

• Icteric (with jaundice) – Weil syndrome; hepatic & renal manifestations:

hemorrhage, hepatomegaly, hyperbilirubinemia, oliguria, anuria with progressive
renal failure; shock, coma & congestive heart failure in severe cases

3rd stage: Convalescence Phase

- Relapses may occur during 4th or 5th week
Diagnosis:

• culture: blood (1st week)

CSF (5th to 12th day)

Urine (after 1st wk til pd of convalescence)

• agglutination tests ( 2nd or 3rd week)

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Complications:

• pneumonia
• iridocyclitis, optic neuritis
• peripheral neuritis

Prognosis:

• cause of death: renal & hepatic failure

• dse usually last 1 – 3 weeks but may be more prolonged; relapse may occur

Treatment:

• specific measures: beneficial if done < 4 days of dse

• Aqueous penicillin G (50,000 units/kg/day in 4-6 divided doses intravenously for

7-10 days
• Tetracycline (20-40 mg/kg/day in 4 doses); may not be given to children < 8 years
old

• general measures

• symptomatic & supportice care

• administration of fluid, electrolytes & blood as indicated
• peritoneal dialysis (for renal failure)

Nursing Interventions:

• isolation of patient: urine must be properly disposed

• health teachings: keep a clean environment

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
(yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not
treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the
membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory distress.