Definition & Background:

 a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira that affects humans and a wide
range of animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles
 first described by Adolf Weil in 1886 when he reported an “acute infectious disease with enlargement of
spleen, jaundice and nephritis”
Causative Agent:
 Leptospira-genus bacteria was isolated in 1907 from post mortem renal tissue slice
 commonly found: Leptospira pyrogenes, Leptospira manilae, & other species like L. icterohemorrhagiae, L.
canicola, L. batavia, L. Pomona, L. javinica
 in animals often is subclinical; an infected animal may appear healthy even as it sheds leptospires in its
urine; humans are dead-end hosts for the leptospire
Predisposing Factors:
 age: < 15 years of age
 sex: male
 season: rainy months
 geographic: prevalent in slum areas
Source of Infection
Infection comes form contaminated food and water, and infected wild life and domestic animals especially rodents.
1. Rats ( L. leterohemoragiae) are the source of Weil’s disease frequently observed among miners, sewer, and
abattoir workers.
2. Dogs (L. canicola) can also be the source of infection among veterinarians, breeders, and owners of dogs.
3. Mice (L. grippotyphosa) may alos be a source of infection that attacks farmers and flax workers.
4. Rats (L. bataviae) are the source of infection that attacks ricefield workers.
Modes of Transmission
Incubation Period:
 6 – 15 days/ 2 – 8 weeks
Clinical Manifestations:
1st stage:     Septicemic/ Leptospiremic Phase (4 – 7 days)
-    onset of high remittent fever, chills, headache, anorexia, nausea & vomiting, abdominal pain, joint pains, muscle
pains, myalgia, severe prostration, cough, respiratory distress, bloody sputum.
2nd stage:    Immune/ Toxic Phase (4 – 30 days)
-    if severe, death may occur between the 9th & 16th day
2 types:
 Anicteric (without jaundice) – return of fever of a lower degree with rash, conjunctival injection, headache,
meningeal manifestations like disorientation, convulsions & signs of meningeal irritations (with CSF finding of
aseptic meningitis)
 Icteric (with jaundice) – Weil syndrome; hepatic & renal manifestations: hemorrhage, hepatomegaly,
hyperbilirubinemia, oliguria, anuria with progressive renal failure; shock, coma & congestive heart failure in severe
cases
3rd stage:     Convalescence Phase 
-    Relapses may occur during 4th or 5th week
Diagnosis:
 culture:    blood (1st week)
CSF (5th to 12th day)
Urine (after 1st wk til pd of convalescence)
 agglutination tests ( 2nd or 3rd week)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Complications:
 pneumonia
 iridocyclitis, optic neuritis
 peripheral neuritis

Prognosis:
 cause of death: renal & hepatic failure
 dse usually last 1 – 3 weeks but may be more prolonged; relapse may occur
Treatment:
 specific measures: beneficial if done < 4 days of dse
 Aqueous penicillin G (50,000 units/kg/day in 4-6 divided doses intravenously for 7-10 days
 Tetracycline (20-40 mg/kg/day in 4 doses); may not be given to children < 8 years old

 general measures
 symptomatic & supportice care
 administration of fluid, electrolytes & blood as indicated
 peritoneal dialysis (for renal failure)

Nursing Interventions:
 isolation of patient: urine must be properly disposed
 health teachings: keep a clean environment