Abstract:
Leptospirosis is a globally important zoonotic disease caused by the pathogenic Gram negative
bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The disease occurs in nearly all mammalian species. It is more common in the
tropical regions because of the longer survival of the organism in the environment and frequent exposure of
animals and humans to contaminated environments. This manuscript reviews the likely impact of leptospirosis
on animal health and its public health implications. The disease is highly zoonotic and transmitted from animal
to human through contact with urine from infected animal or through ingestion of contaminated feed and water
by Leptospira. Human infection of Leptospirosis varies from asymptomatic to severe and usually has biphasic
illness. Rodents are the major reservoir of infection. Occupations with high risk of infection in human,
host preference to cause acute or chronic condition of the disease, resistance to bactericidal action of
complement and neutrophils and long survival of the organism in the environment are some of risk factors of
the disease. The clinical signs of leptospirosis do not vary greatly with the species of animals. Laboratory tests
used for the detection of the disease are microscopic evaluation, culture, molecular method, serology and animal
inoculation. Dihydrostreptomycin, tetracycline, penicillin, ampicillin, doxycycline, streptomycin and
erythromycin are common antibiotics used to treat the disease. Sanitary measures, vaccination, quarantine and
rodent control are the most important control measures of the disease. Except few researches, Occurrence of
leptospirosis in Ethiopia is not well documented so, more research should be conducted on prevalence of
leptospirosis in Ethiopia.
