VMC 311: Systematic Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology (2+1)

Pathogenicity

PATHOGENECITY

Symptoms and lesions

• Leptospirosis can occur as
  • Acute severe disease (Septicaemia with endotoxaemia such as haemorrhages, hepatitis, nephritis and meningitis)
  • Subacute moderately severe disease (nephritis, agalactiae, hepatitis and meningitis)
  • Chronic disease (iridocyclitis, abortion, still birth, infertility)
  • Subclinical form (recognize only by the development of antibody)
  • Symptoms include fever, severe muscle pain, haemoglobinuria, jaundice, anemia, anuria, meningeal signs, gastro intestinal signs, skin rashes and photophobia.
  • Cattle: Acute form characterized with marked drop in milk production associated with pyrexia in chronic form- abortion, still birth or premature calves.
  • Pigs: Haemoglobinuria and jaundice in piglets, abortion in the last 3rd of pregnancy and stillbirth.
  • Dogs: The acute form of leptospirosis is known as Stuttgart disease.
  • It is characterized by fever, haemorrhage, anemia and jaundice.