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==Description==  

==Description==  

Leptospirosis is an economically significant zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria [[Leptospira|''leptospira interrogans'']]. Disease in cattle is usually due to ''L.pomona'' or ''L.hardjo'';''L. interrogans'' serovar ''hardjo'' is host-adapted to cattle, whereas ''L.pomona'' is non-host specific. Clinical disease is rarely seen in sheep, they are less susceptible to the bacterium but may act as non-symptomatic carriers.   

Leptospirosis is an economically significant zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria [[Leptospira|''leptospira interrogans'']]. Disease in cattle is usually due to ''L.pomona'' or ''L.hardjo''; ''L. interrogans'' serovar ''hardjo'' is host-adapted to cattle, whereas ''L.pomona'' is non-host specific. Clinical disease is rarely seen in sheep, they are less susceptible to the bacterium but may act as non-symptomatic carriers.   

In cattle leptospirosis is seen in 3 forms, acute, subacute and chronic. The acute disease is seen most frequently in calves, causing pyrexia, haemoglobinurea, jaundice, anorexia, uraemia due to renal damage and death. Acute disease in susceptible heifers, is seen as fever, lethargy, agalactia of all quarters; abortion and stillbirth may also occur. The subacute form results in clinical signs similar to those of the acute form, in a less severe form. The main signs of the chronic or enzootic form are infertility, especially in the heifers, and abortions.

In cattle leptospirosis is seen in 3 forms, acute, subacute and chronic. The acute disease is seen most frequently in calves, causing pyrexia, haemoglobinurea, jaundice, anorexia, uraemia due to renal damage and death. Acute disease in susceptible heifers, is seen as fever, lethargy and agalactia of all quarters; abortion and stillbirth may also occur. The subacute form results in clinical signs similar to those of the acute disease, in a less severe form. The main signs of the chronic or enzootic form are infertility, especially in heifers, and abortions. An abortion storm is a common presentation of leptospirosis, with several cattle aborting at the same time, typically 4-12 weeks after the intitial infection. 

In the rare cases affecting sheep, infection results in an acute syndrome in lambs, or abortion and agalactia in ewes.  

In the rare cases affecting sheep, infection results in an acute syndrome in lambs, or abortion and agalactia in ewes.  

Subacute form:

Subacute form:

* lethargy

* Lethargy

* Pyrexia

* Pyrexia

* Flaccid udder

* Flaccid udder

Incactivated vaccines are of questionable efficacy

Incactivated vaccines are of questionable efficacy

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

==References==

==References==

* Divers, T.J. and Peek, S.F. (2008) '''Rebhun's diseases of dairy cattle''' ''Elsevier Health Scieneces''

* Divers, T.J. and Peek, S.F. (2008) '''Rebhun's diseases of dairy cattle''' ''Elsevier Health Scieneces''