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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: |
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− | '''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 recurrent uveitis cases are due to leptospirosis. | + | '''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 recurrent uveitis cases are due to leptospirosis. It is not clear whether the recurrent uveitis is immune mediated or due to intraocular bacterial infection. |
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| '''Reproductive''': Leptospirosis can cause abortion, still birth or neonatal disease depending on the serovar and the stage of gestation when infected. Approximately 3-4% of equine abortions are caused by Leptospirosis, and 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. Approximately 3-4% of equine abortions are caused by Leptospirosis, and are most frequently late term. |
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| Horses with subclinical infections or those in the carrier state are asymptomatic. | | Horses with subclinical infections or those in the carrier state are asymptomatic. |
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− | ===Laboratory Tests== | + | ===Laboratory Tests=== |
| Culture of Leptospira is challenging but can be attempted from urine, blood and aqueous humour in antemortem diagnosis, or from liver, kidney, fetus or placenta in post mortem diagnosis. | | Culture of Leptospira is challenging but can be attempted from urine, blood and aqueous humour in antemortem diagnosis, or from liver, kidney, fetus or placenta in post mortem diagnosis. |
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