Leptospirosis in Animal and its Public Health Implications: A Review

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.