Leptospirosis is a highly contagious and serious health condition that has the potential to damage the kidneys and liver of the infected living organisms. Although approximately 50 to 150 cases of the same are diagnosed annually in the United States, but it is still believed that the many cases of infection are unaccounted. |
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The causal agent of the disease is a cork-crew shaped bacterium called Leptospira interrogans. The bacterium commonly inhabits the countries falling in the tropical zone and is transferred through the urine of the infected animal. The carriers of the pathogenic bacterium are human beings, rodents, hedgehogs, pigs, cattle and dogs.
Leptospira can survive for long durations in fresh water, humid soil, mud and vegetation. Those in the higher zone of susceptibility are people who are involved in canoeing, rafting, wading and swimming activities; and those who work in the contaminated areas like farms or agricultural fields. The leptospirosis bacteria can gain entry into the body either through damaged skin, mucous membrane or via the consumption of contaminated food or water. After entering the body, it starts flowing in the blood stream and lymphatic system.
Through these two channels that is blood and lymphatic system, the bacterium spreads throughout the body at an extremely rapid pace. Although as an intrinsic reaction, the immune system tries to defend the body against the infection, but the intensity at which the bacterium propagates is far beyond control. It is believed that blood samples derived from the host within minutes of the contact show traces of the bacteria. The bacterium reproduces through the process of binary fission, taking about 8 hours for its replication. The proliferation continues until treatment is administered.
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