canis - Articles
Leptospira spp
Introduction
Classification
Taxonomy
- Classically, the genus Leptospira was divided into 2 species based on genetic analysis: L. interrogans sensu latu (pathogenic strains) and L. biflexa sensu latu (saprophytic strains).
- L. interrogans is divided into more than 250 serovars on the basis of antigenic composition and further classified into antigenically related serogroups.
- Serovar spectrum and frequency differs according to countries and regions (depending on distribution of rodent hosts, import of dogs from abroad, use of vaccination).
- The main infecting serovars in dogs were Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola in Europe and America prior to 1960. Since the use of the bivalent vaccine against Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae, a shift to other serovars occurred.
- Besides L. Icterohaemorrhagiae and L. Canicola, Serovars of importance in dogs include: Grippotyphosa, Bratislava, Saxkoebing, Sejroe, Copenhagi, Australis, Bataviae, and Pomona, Autumnalis, and Hardjo.
- Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola infections in unvaccinated dogs still occur, indicating that these serovars are not fully eradicated.
- Leptospires are motile, obligate aerobe, gram-negative bacteria, which are not visible in routinely fixed smears.
- Dark field microscopy or phase contrast microscopy is necessary for visibility of unstained leptospires.
Etymology
- Gk: lepto - thin, narrow; spira - a coil; leptospira - a fine coil.
Significance
- Leptospira spp. are shed in urine of reservoir hosts, often for many months.
- Reservoir hosts usually show little sign of disease.
- Mild climate and wet environment encourage survival of the leptospires.
- Leptospira spp. be found in the environment as well as in urine, milk, or meat from infected animals.
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Clinical Effects
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Diagnosis
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Fraune C K, Schweighauser A & Francey T (2013) Evaluation of the diagnostic value of serologic microagglutination testing and a polymerase chain reaction assay for diagnosis of acute leptospirosis in dogs in a referral center. J Am Vet Med Assoc 242 (10), 1373-1380 PubMed.
- Hartmann K, Egberink H, Pennisi M G et al (2013) Leptospira species infection in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management. J Feline Med Surg 15 (7), 576-581 PubMed.
- Abdoel T H, Houwers D J, van Dongen A M et al (2011) Rapid test for the serodiagnosis of acute canine leptospirosis. Vet Microbiol 150 (1-2), 211-213 PubMed.
- Sykes J E, Hartmann K, Lunn K F et al (2011) 2010 ACVIM small animal consensus statement on leptospirosis: diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention. J Vet Intern Med 25 (1), 1-13 PubMed.
- Kohn B, Steinicke K, Arndt G et al (2010) Pulmonary abnormalities in dogs with leptospirosis. J Vet Intern Med 24 (6), 1277-1282 PubMed.
- Burr P, Lunn K, Yam P (2009) Current perspectives on canine leptospirosis. In Practice 31 (3), 98-102 VetMedResource.
- Geisen V, Stengel C, Brem S et al (2007) Canine leptospirosis infections - clinical signs and outcome with different suspected Leptospira serogroups (42 cases). J Small Anim Pract 48 (6), 324-328 PubMed.
- Ghneim G S, Viers J H, Chomel B B et al (2007) Use of a case-control study and geographic information systems to determine environmental and demographic risk factors for canine leptospirosis. Vet Res 38 (1), 37-50 PubMed.
- André-Fontaine G (2006) Canine leptospirosis--do we have a problem? Vet Microbiol 117 (1), 19-24 PubMed.
- Goldstein R E, Lin R C, Langston C E et al (2006) Influence of infecting serogroup on clinical features of leptospirosis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med 20 (3), 489-494 PubMed.
- Meeyam T, Tablerk P, Petchanok B et al (2006) Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with leptospirosis in dogs. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 37 (1), 148-153 PubMed.
- Moore G E, Guptill L F, Glickman L W et al (2006) Canine leptospirosis, United States, 2002-2004. Emerg Infect Dise 12 (3), 501-503 PubMed.
- Ward M P, Guptill L F & Wu C C (2004) Evaluation of environmental risk factors for leptospirosis in dogs: 36 cases (1997-2002). JAVMA 225 (1), 72-77 PubMed.
- Boutilier P, Carr A & Schulman R L (2003) Leptospirosis in dogs: a serologic survey and case series 1996-2001. Vet Ther 4 (4), 387-396 PubMed.
- Burriel A R, Dalley C, Woodward M J (2003) Prevalence of leptospira species among farmed and domestic animals in Greece. Vet Rec 153 (5), 146-148 PubMed.
- Ebani V V, Cerri D, Poli A et al (2003) Prevalence of Leptospira and Brucella antibodies in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Tuscany, Italy. J Wildl Dis 39 (3), 718-722 PubMed.
- Harkin K R, Roshto Y M & Sullivan J T (2003) Clinical application of a polymerase chain reaction assay for diagnosis for leptospirosis in dogs. JAVMA 222 (9), 1224-1229 PubMed.
- Adin C A & Cowgill L D (2000) Treatment and outcome of dogs with leptospirosis - 36 cases (1990-1998). JAVMA 216 (3), 371-375 PubMed.
- Steger-Lieb A, Gerber B, Nicolet J et al (1999) [An old disease with a new face: canine leptospirosis does not lose its relevance]. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd 141 (11), 499-507 PubMed.
- Brown C A, Roberts A W, Miller M A et al (1996) Leptospira interrogans serovar grippotyphosa infection in dogs. JAVMA 209 (7), 1265-1267 PubMed.
- Harkin K R & Gartrell C L (1996) Canine leptospirosis in New Jersey and Michigan - 17 cases (1990-1995). JAAHA 32 (6), 495-501 PubMed.
- Anderson J F, Miller D A, Post J E et al (1993) Isolation of Leptospira interrogans serovar grippotyphosa from the skin of a dog. JAVMA 203 (11), 1550-1551 PubMed.