Difference between revisions of "Leptospirosis - Horses"
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Leptospirosis''' is a disease caused by the bacteria ''Leptospira interrogans''. It affects domestic species, wildlife and has zoonotic potential. | + | '''Leptospirosis''' is a disease caused by the bacteria ''Leptospira interrogans''. It affects domestic species, wildlife and has zoonotic potential. There are several different serovars which vary in pathogenesis and their host specificity. Most infections result in in a self limiting pyrexia and anorexia, however occasionally the |
see [[Leptospira]] | see [[Leptospira]] | ||
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The disease can then invade a specific organ system resulting in associated clinical signs: | The disease can then invade a specific organ system resulting in associated clinical signs: | ||
| − | '''Opthalmic''': The initial signs are blephrospasm, increased lacrimation, photophobia and corneal oedema, with progression to retinal detachment, synechia formation, and cataracts. Chronic leptospirosis causes recurrent uvietis. | + | '''Opthalmic''': The initial signs are blephrospasm, increased lacrimation, photophobia and corneal oedema, with progression to retinal detachment, synechia formation, and cataracts. Chronic leptospirosis causes recurrent uvietis, typically signs develop 2-8 months after initial infection. Up to 67% of . |
'''Reproductive''': Leptospirosis can cause abortion, still birth or neonatal disease depending on the serovar and the stage of gestation when infected. Abortions are most frequently late term. | '''Reproductive''': Leptospirosis can cause abortion, still birth or neonatal disease depending on the serovar and the stage of gestation when infected. Abortions are most frequently late term. | ||
Revision as of 12:14, 21 August 2010
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This article is still under construction. |
Description
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira interrogans. It affects domestic species, wildlife and has zoonotic potential. There are several different serovars which vary in pathogenesis and their host specificity. Most infections result in in a self limiting pyrexia and anorexia, however occasionally the
see Leptospira
Signalment
Exposure to the disease is worldwide, with the predominent serovar varying with location. Serological studies show that exposure is high but clinical disease is low.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
Infection with pathogenic Leptospira spp cause a bacteraemia with the following clinical signs
- Pyrexia
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Anorexia
The disease can then invade a specific organ system resulting in associated clinical signs:
Opthalmic: The initial signs are blephrospasm, increased lacrimation, photophobia and corneal oedema, with progression to retinal detachment, synechia formation, and cataracts. Chronic leptospirosis causes recurrent uvietis, typically signs develop 2-8 months after initial infection. Up to 67% of .
Reproductive: Leptospirosis can cause abortion, still birth or neonatal disease depending on the serovar and the stage of gestation when infected. Abortions are most frequently late term.
Renal:
Hepatic:
Horses with subclinical infections or those in the carrier state are asymptomatic.