Leptospirosis is a zoonotic pathology that occurs with fever, as well as hemorrhagic syndrome, damage to the liver and kidneys, and the nervous system.
Causes and conditions of the disease
The disease is caused by leptospira. These are spiral microorganisms that do not form spores or capsules and are inactive. They belong to tissue parasites and are capable of affecting
nerve fibers, muscles and blood, as well as the liver and kidneys. In addition, they contain endotoxin, which includes lipids, polysaccharides and polypeptides. These compounds exhibit pyrogenic and necrotic properties. When leptospirosis occurs in people, the symptoms of this disease are determined by precisely these features.
The source of infection is animals (rodents, dogs, amphibians, and birds). A person becomes infected by contact with water that is infected with leptospira. In addition, there may be a contact or food route of transmission of the disease. A sick person is not a danger to others.
It is worth noting that susceptibility to leptospirosis is quite high. The disease in most cases is recorded among men. After the leptospirosis, a stable immunity is formed.
Leptospirosis in humans: symptoms
The initial period of the disease lasts up to seven days. The onset is acute. Hyperthermia occurs up to 40 ° C, chills, headaches, as well as nausea and palpitations. In severe cases, subfebrile condition is characteristic. When leptospirosis occurs in people, symptoms include severe muscle pain. Necrosis of muscle fibers leads to kidney damage, which worsens the prognosis of the disease.
At the initial stages of leptospirosis, hyperemia of the face and eyes, typical signs of intoxication, are detected. In the future, symptoms of damage to the kidneys, liver, as well as the heart and lungs develop. Jaundice and hemorrhagic syndrome, which is manifested by hemoptysis, macrohematuria, hemorrhages in various organs or a specific rash, are noteworthy.
When leptospirosis is diagnosed in humans, the symptoms of the disease last 4-6 weeks. After this, a prolonged asthenovegetative syndrome and severe weakness are observed. In 20-60% of cases, a relapse of leptospirosis is possible, which ends with damage to the organs of vision and the nervous system.
Diagnosis and treatment
At the initial stages, neutrophilic leukocytosis, aneosinophilia, lymphopenia and an increase in ESR are observed. In severe forms, the level of hemoglobin, the number of red blood cells and platelets decreases. Formal elements appear in the urine, which is observed in almost all patients. Diagnostic value is the high level of CPK in the blood serum, which indicates muscle damage.
How does a specific leptospirosis test help? In a person who is ill with this pathology, a pronounced microagglutination reaction with live cultures of leptospira is revealed. It is worth noting that a negative reaction does not always exclude this disease, since in severe cases antibodies form in small titers.
When leptospirosis is diagnosed, treating a person infected with leptospira necessarily involves taking antibiotics. The most effective are penicillins. If an allergy occurs to this group of drugs, then tetracyclines are prescribed. In therapy, donor immunoglobulin and vitamins are also used. In the presence of liver failure, “Lasix” or “Mannitol” preparations are used. If necessary, hemodialysis is performed.