Epidemiology & Pathophysiology
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
100
What type of bacteria causes leptospirosis?
Spirochete bacteria !
100
what is the incubation period for leptospirosis?
2 to 14 days
in the first week of illness, antibody titers are negative or low because of insufficient time for production of detectable antibody.
100
What antimicrobial therapy is recommended for treatment of Leptospirosis?
The optimal antimicrobial treatment for leptospirosis is unknown.
However, the sequential combination of initial treatment with an IV penicillin derivative to suppress bacteremia followed by PO doxycycline to avoid intrarenal persistence has been the traditional strategy in both humans and dogs with leptospirosis.
100
At what age is vaccination recommended for dogs ?
12 weeks of age, followed by a booster vaccine 4 weeks later.
200
What are the most important reservoir hosts for leptospirosis?
worldwide: Rodents!
Other wild life and domestic animals plan an important role in epidemiology of the disease
Also can persist in biofilms in water-saturated soil or the renal tubules
200
What is considered the "gold standard" test for leptospirosis?
A Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT)—is a highly specific serological assay primarily used to detect and quantify antibodies in blood serum against infectious bacteria
convalescent phase titer evaluation to document recent exposure. A negative result with any point-of-care antibody detection assay does not rule out leptospirosis, and should be followed with a second antibody test, 7 to 14 days later, to document seroconversion
other tests include idexx snap test, Zoetis WITNESS, Nucleic acid amplification tests
200
What is the recommended length for antimicrobial therapy?
dogs with leptospirosis should be treated with doxycycline at a dosage of 5 mg/kg q12h PO for 2 weeks. Treatmentshould not be delayed pending results of diagnostic testing for leptospirosis.
200
What type of dogs are at risk for leptospirosis?
ALL DOGS are at risk for leptospirosis regardless of signalment, geographic location , lifestyle and time of year.
Outbreaks in urban areas have been documented in desert and semi-arid climates, doggie day cares, and kennel environments. back yard poultry, composting or gardening can attract rodents which can be reservoirs for leptospria spp. Domestic travel from around the country and predation from displaced wildlife due to development projects in semi rural areas.
300
How does leptospirosis infection occur?
When mucous membranes or abraded skin are exposed to pathogenic strains of Leptospira spp. that are shed from the renal tubules of infected reservoir hosts.
300
Does vaccination interfere with testing for lepto?
YES!
a single positive MAT titer lacks specificity and high titers in the first few days of illness should raise suspicion for recent previous vaccination, recent subclinical exposure, or longer duration of illness caused by Leptospira spp. infection than recognized by the owner.
300
what types of supportive care should be provided ?
prioritizing appropriate fluid, electrolyte, acid-base, and blood pressure management and support of gastrointestinal disturbances using antiemetics and gastroprotectants, Early and proactive nutritional support, individualized pain management, supplemental oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and short-term kidney replacement therapy in severe cases
300
How should urine samples be handled in a veterinary setting?
Gloves should always be used when handling urine!! Protect yourself as much as possible against all pathogens :)
400
What main organ systems are affected by leptospirosis?
Manifestation of infection can be through acute kidney injury and/or acute hepatic dysfunction
However, the infection multisystemic! The kidneys, liver, lungs, eyes, platelets, heart, uterus (including babies), pancreas, muscles and GI tract can all be affected! the bacteria can persist in biofilms in the eyes or the renal tubules
400
What is one contraindication to testing for leptospriosis using Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT)?
To optimize sensitivity of NAATs, specimens should be collected before administration of antibiotics. Also, both blood and urine should be submitted.
400
what is the benefit of using extracorporeal kidney support therapy?
The indications for hemodialysis are prioritized to resolve hyperkalemia, severe azotemia, fluid imbalance, metabolic acidosis, and the cumulative systemic comorbidities attending progressive AKI.
400
What serovars are currently present in the QUADRIVALENT vaccinations?
Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, and Pomona