Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria (Leptospira interrogans) that produce a wide range of symptoms that may occur in phases; some patients may develop kidney or liver failure, respiratory failure, meningitis, or even death. The disease is spread by the urine of infected animals (many species, both domesticated and wild); the bacteria can survive in the water and soil for months. The disease is most common in temperate and tropical climates. The infecting bacteria occur worldwide.

Without treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.

The cause of leptospirosis is bacteria,Leptospira interrogans, a Gram-negative spirochete (spiral-shaped bacteria). The bacteria infect many types of animals (many wild animals, rodents, dogs, cats, pigs, horses, cattle, for example) that subsequently contaminate water, soil, and crops when they urinate because the bacteria are present in urine. The bacteria then infect humans when they invade through breaks in the skin or mucus membranes or when people ingest them. The bacteria multiply in the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Person-to-person transfer of this disease is rare.

Morphology and Anatomy

Nutrional requirement

The nutritional requirement of leptospires are unique although simple. Vit B1 and B 12 and long-chain fatty acids are the only organic compounds that are known to be required. Fatty acids are their source of energy and carbon, and are required as a source of cellular lipids since leptospira cannot synthesize fatty acids de novo. Owing to the inherent toxicity of free fatty acids, these must be supplied to the leptospires either bound to albumin. Carbohydrates are not a suitable source of energy or carbon. Even though amino acids are utilized to a limited extent, they cannot satisfy the nitrogen requirements of these organisms.

The nonessential nutrient,...