title: Overview of the epidemiology, microbiology, and pathogenesis of Leptospira spp. in humans.
abstract: Leptospirosis is probably the world's most widespread zoonosis. It remains underdiagnosed largely due to the broad spectrum of signs and symptoms attributable to this spirochetal pathogen. Leptospira spp. cause a diversity of diseases from flu-like illness to Weil's syndrome with multi-organ failure. Recent epidemics may herald a change in virulence or an alteration in the balance between humans and their interactions with other host species and the environment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine, Box 0811, CA 94143, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Plank
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dean
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines