Leptospirosis (also known as field fever,[1] rat catcher’s yellows,[2] and pretibial fever[3] among others names) is an infectioncause by bacteria of the Leptospira type. Symptoms can range from none to mild such as headaches, muscles pains, and fevers to severe with bleeding from the lungs or meningitis.[4][5] If the infection causes the person to turn yellow, have kidney failure and bleeding it is than known as Weil’s disease.[5] If it causes lots of bleeding from the lungs it is known as severe pulmonary haemorrhage syndrome.[5]
There are ten different types of Leptospira that cause disease in humans.[6] It is transmitted by both wild and domestic animals.[5]The most common animals that spreads the disease are rodents.[7] It is often transmitted by animal urine or water containing animal urine coming into contact with breaks in the skin, the eyes, mouth, nose or vagina.[8][4] In the developing world the disease most commonly occurs in farmers and poor people who live in cities.[5] In the developed world it most commonly occurs in those involved in outdoor activities in warm and wet areas of the world.[4] Diagnosis is by growing the bacteria from a blood sample, finding its DNAin the blood, or looking for antibodies against the infection.[4]
Efforts to prevent the disease include protective equipment to prevent contact when working with potentially infected animals, washing after this contact, and reducing rodents in areas people live and work.[4] The antibiotic, doxycycline when used in an effort to prevent infection among travellers is of unclear benefit.[4] Vaccines for animals exist for certain type of Leptospira which may decrease the risk of spread to humans.[4] Treatment if infected is with antibiotics such as: doxycycline, penicillin, or ceftriaxone.[4]Severe causes may result in rates of death greater than 50%.[5]
It is estimated that seven to ten millions peoples are infected by leptospirosis a year.[9] The number of deaths this causes is not clear.[9] The disease is most common in tropical areas of the world but may occur anywhere.[4] Outbreaks may occur in slums of the developing world.[5] The disease was first described by Weil in 1886 in Germany.[4] Animals who are infected may have no symptoms, mild symptoms, or severe symptoms.[6] Symptoms may vary by the type of animal.[6]