Leptospirosis in humans: symptoms and treatment

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic pathology that occurs with fever, as well as hemorrhagic syndrome, liver and kidney damage, and the nervous system.

Causes and conditions of the onset of the disease

The disease is caused by leptospira. These are spiral microorganisms that do not form spores or capsules and are inactive. They belong to the tissue parasites and are capable of affecting nerve fibers, muscles and blood, as well as the liver and kidneys. In addition, they contain endotoxin, which includes lipids, polysaccharides and polypeptides. These compounds exhibit pyrogenic and necrotic properties. When leptospirosis occurs in humans, the symptoms of this disease are determined precisely by these features.

The source of the infection is animals (rodents, dogs, amphibians and birds). A person becomes infected by contact with water, which is infected with leptospira. In addition, there may be a contact or food route of transmission of the disease. A sick person for others is not dangerous.

It is worth noting that the susceptibility to leptospirosis is quite high. The disease in most cases is registered among men. After the transferred leptospirosis, a stable immunity is formed.

Leptospirosis in humans: symptoms

The initial period of the disease lasts up to seven days. The beginning is acute. There is hyperthermia up to 40 ° C, chills, headaches, as well as nausea and palpitations. In severe course, subfebrile is common. When leptospirosis occurs, in humans the symptoms include severe pain in the muscles. Necrosis of muscle fibers leads to damage to the kidneys, which worsens the prognosis of the disease.

At the initial stages of leptospirosis, there is flushing of the face and eyes, typical signs of intoxication. In the future, the symptoms of kidney, liver, and heart, lungs develop. Attention is paid to jaundice and hemorrhagic syndrome, which is manifested by hemoptysis, macrogematuria, hemorrhage into various organs or a specific rash.

When leptospirosis is diagnosed in humans, the symptoms of the disease persist for 4-6 weeks. After this, there is a prolonged asthenovegetative syndrome and marked weakness. In 20-60% of cases, a relapse of leptospirosis is possible, which results in damage to the organs of vision and the nervous system.

Diagnosis and treatment

At the initial stages, neutrophilic leukocytosis, aneosinophilia, lymphopenia and an increase in ESR are observed. In severe forms, the level of hemoglobin, the number of erythrocytes and platelets decreases. In the urine appear uniform elements, which is observed in almost all patients. Diagnostic value has a large level of CK in the serum, indicating muscle damage.

What will help a specific test for leptospirosis? In a person who suffers from this pathology, they reveal a pronounced microagglutination reaction with live Leptospira cultures. It should be noted that a negative reaction does not always exclude this disease, since in severe cases, antibodies are formed in small credits.

When leptospirosis is diagnosed, treatment of a person infected with leptospirae necessarily includes taking antibiotics. The most effective are penicillins. If there is an allergy to this group of drugs, then tetracyclines are prescribed. In therapy, also use donor immunoglobulin, vitamins. In the presence of liver failure, drugs "Lasix" or "Mannitol" are used. If necessary, hemodialysis is performed.