Leptospirosis - An Emerging Pathogen in Travel Medicine: A Review of its Clinical Manifestations and Management.
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by a spirochete, Leptospira interrogans. The disease has a wide range of clinical manifestations, ranging from a mild febrile illness to classic Weil's disease, which presents with jaundice, myalgia, acute renal failure, and tissue hemorrhage. Transmission usually occurs from contact with infected water surfaces. Recently, recreational activities such as hiking, swimming in lakes, biking through infected water, and hunting have been associated with the acquisition of this disease. This review describes the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, management, and prevention of this disease.
Antony
SJ
Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States.