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Leptospirosis is a blood infection caused by the bacterium Leptospira [8] that can infect humans, dogs, rodents and many other wild and domesticated animals. [8] Signs and symptoms can range from none to mild ( headaches , muscle pains , and fevers ) to severe ( bleeding in the lungs or meningitis ). [ 5 ]
Leptospirosis in canines can be divided into the four categories of reproductive, icteric, hemorrhagic, and uremic. Reproductive leptospirosis results in the premature birth of offspring or abortion, and uremic leptospirosis is referred to as Stuttgart disease. [32] L. interrogans triggers a highly inflammatory response in infected dogs.
Leptospira (from Ancient Greek λεπτός (leptós) 'fine, thin, narrow, etc.' and Latin spira 'coil') [1] is a genus of spirochaete bacteria, including a small number of pathogenic and saprophytic species. [2]
Leptospira alstonii is a gram negative, mobile, spirochete. [1] It is flexible, helical, and motile by means of two periplasmic flagella (axial fibrils). It is obligately aerobic and oxidase positive.
Different viruses can infect all the organs and tissues of the body and the outcomes range from mild or no symptoms, to life-threatening diseases. [5] Humans cannot be infected by plant or insect viruses, but they are susceptible to infections with viruses from other vertebrates. These are called viral zoonoses or zoonotic infections. [6]
Animal populations are the principal reservoir of the pathogen and horizontal infection in humans is rare. A few examples in this category include lyssavirus infections, Lyme borreliosis, plague, tularemia, leptospirosis, ehrlichiosis, Nipah virus, West Nile virus (WNV) and hantavirus infections.
[2] [3] Typically, the term pathogen is used to describe an infectious microorganism or agent, such as a virus, bacterium, protozoan, prion, viroid, or fungus. [4] [5] [6] Small animals, such as helminths and insects, can also cause or transmit disease. However, these animals are usually referred to as parasites rather than pathogens. [7]
Tick-borne diseases, which afflict humans and other animals, are caused by infectious agents transmitted by tick bites. [1] They are caused by infection with a variety of pathogens, including rickettsia and other types of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. [2]