INTRODUCTION

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease of humans and animals that is caused

by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira.It is considered the most
common zoonis in the world and associated with rodents in poor sanitation
,agricultural occupations,and increasingly adventure sports or races
involving fresh water,mud or soil exposure.It is more commonly transmitted
from animals to human when people with unhealed breaks in the sk,come
into contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with animal urinethe bacterium can also enter the body through the eyes or mucous
membrane.Typically the animals that transmit the infection to human include
rats,skunks,raccoons and other vermin.Although more common in tropical
areas,non-tropical urban areas conglomeration with low level of sanitation
are seeing more cases ,especially during summer or autumn months.Most of
the urban areas effected involved large cities in developing world.The are
generally two main leptospirosis ,mild leptospirosis and severe
leptospirosis .Leptospirosis are more common in the tropics,but more
common in the tropics,but may also occur in the poor parts of large cities in
developing nations that are not tropical areas.When cases do occur they
tend to be sporadic.Leptospirosis exists globally ,but is more common in
tropical and subtropical parts of the world .The bacterium thrives in hot and
humid environments such as Africa,India,China,Russia.Cases of infection are
also reported in the tourist hotspots like New Zealand,Australia,Hawaii and
Barbados.
In ancient China,a disease that was certainly leptospirosis was
recognized as an occupational hazard of rice harvesters.InJapan,leptospirosis
was called akiyami or autumn fever .a term used for this disease .In
West,leptospirosis was describe by Larry in 1812 asfeivrejaune among
Napoleons troops at the siege of Cairo.The disease was initially to be related
to the plague but not as contagious. Throughout the remainder of the
19thcentury,leptospirosis was known as Europeans billion typhoid.In,Adolph

Weil published his historic paper describing the most severe form of
leptospirosis that would be later known as Weil disease.Weil describe the
clinical manifestations in 4 men who had severe jaundice,fever and
hemorrhage with renal involment.in 1907 ,Stimson used special staining
techniques in the postmortem examination of a kidney of a person with
Weils disease and found a spiral organism with hooked ends,which was
named spirochaetainterrogans because its shape resembled that of a
question mark.
There are two types of leptospira,one is a saprophytic which feeds on
organic matter and the other one is pathogenic which inhabits in the animals
kidney and exerted in through their urine .Saprophytic is not harmful to
human but pathogenic is harmful as its one of the causes leptospirosis in
human

and

animals.Its

rare

to

catch

leptospirosis

from

domestic

pets,although there have been cases where the infection was caught from
pet rats.An animal carrying leptospira bacteria may show no outwards sign of
illness.The bacteria live inside the animals kidneys can be passed out in their
urine .Bacteria can survive for several weeks and even months when it
passed into soil or water.Human become infected with leptospira bacteria if
contaminated water or soil comes into contact with our eyes,mouth or any
open cuts in the skin.The bacteria can also spread through rodent bites or by
drinking contaminated water.Less commonly,it can be passed to human who
come into closed physical contact with blood or tissues of an infected
animals.In Malaysia there are many cases involving leptospirosis .For
instance,people got infected at Junaco Park.National Service Camp in 2010
and a 17 years-old boy died after swimming in Kedah.
Leptospirosis is caused by infection with the germs of leptospira.It is a
type of zoonosis that can be passed through animals to human through
direct contact with the bodily fluid and tissues of infected animals or soil
contaminated with infected urine .The bacteria usually get inti human body
through a cut or small abrasion in the skin.The bacteria may also infected

the body through the lungs .Once inside the body leptospira have the ability
to pass via bloodstream and the lymph system to the internal organ.In the
majority cases,leptospira cause a mild illnesses but in some people more
severe form of leptospirosis occurs.This more severe form is commonly
referred to Weils disease.Around 9 out of 10 people just develop from mild
like flu illnesses.The remaining 1 out of 10 people just develop to Weils
disease.Symptoms of leptospirosis are first notice at same time between 2
and 30 days after exposure to the germs.however, they most develop no
symptoms at all.In both the mild and severe form of flu-like symptoms
develop first .They tend to last for between 5 to 7 days and can include high
temperature, headache and else .During the second stage of illnesses the
bacteria are spreading throughout the blood via bloodstream. The majority of
people are able to recover as most their immune systems clears the
infection. However in some people, about a week after the flu like symptoms
have passed a second stage of the illnesses then develop (Weils
disease).The symptoms of second stage can include diarrhea, skin rash and
else. During the second stage the bacteria begin to infect the organs in the
body. Different organs may be infected in different places. The infectious
disease leptospirosis or rat urine disease is not confined as dirty
cities.Those indulging in outdoor activitiesat waterfalls and rivers or while
camping can fall, victim to the disease,which is spread via the urine of both
while camping can fall victim to the disease, which is spread via the urine of
both

wild

and

domestic

animals,usually

rats

.The

concentration

of

contaminations is also higher because of the lowervolume of water.According

to the Health Ministry director of general Noor Hisham-Abdullah,recreation
areas near streams and waterfalls can be polluted when rubbish and food left
behind are not disposed properly.There were 7,806 of leptospirosis in 2014
and 92 deaths ,a 75% increase from 4,457 cases.Selangor was the worst hit
with 1,832 cases , while Perlis had just 20 last year .According to Datuk Noor
Hisham said areas that were breeding grounds for rodents would increase
the like hood leptospirosis transmission.Referring to the statistics from the

Health Departments Communicable Disease Control Section (CPRC),for

epidemiology

week

Serian,Bintulu,Pekan

19

(of

2013),one

,Mukah,Bau,Sibu

death
and

each

was

Lundu

recorded

while

Miri

in
2

deaths.Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochetes of

the genus leptospirosis that effects human and the symptoms may only
appear after a two to 10 days incubation period (time of exposure to first
symptoms).
Leptospirosis are usually treated with antibiotics and supportive
care.When treated early and aggressively , the chances for recovery are
good but there are still risk permanent residual kidney or liver damage.For
severe cases,the best antibiotics for threating leptospirosis is high doses of
intravenous penicillin,less severe can be treated with oral antibiotics such
amoxicillin and ampicillin.
For

prevention

,currently

available

vaccine

effectively

prevent

leptospirosis and protect dogs which is and of disease carrier , for at least 12
months.Annual vaccination is recommended to possible source at the
leptospira bacteria can reduce the chances of infection.
Although an infected pet dog presents low risk of infection for you and
your family , there is still some risk.Even your dog has been diagnosed with
leptospirosis ,take the following precaution to protect you and your
family.While handling the infected dogs wash your hand after handling
them ,avoid contact with their body fluid.One also should avoid recreational
exposure such as swimming and sailing to minimize the risk of water from
entering the body.

LEPTOSPIROSIS (RATS URINE)

1.Ge

nder

2.Races

Others (

3.Courses

Account

QUESTIONS
1.State the definition for saprophytic?
A.
B.
C.
D.

An
An
An
An

organism
organism
organism
organism

feeds an organic matter.

harmful to human.
that can be found in an ecosystem.
which gives benefit to human.

2.What are causes of leptospirosis?

A.
B.
C.
D.

urine of rats
Infected domestic animals
Contiminated water and soil
All of the above

3.How do human get infected by this disease?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Direct from contaminated water

Physical contact with infected animals
Infected during flood and rainfall seasons
All of the above

4. Which of the following countries have highest number of cases of leptospirosis?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Malaysia
Thailand
Brazil
England

5. In your opinion, which factors do you think probably increase the leptospirosis
incidence?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Climate change
Floodity
Improper health education
All of the above

6. Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that can occur in

A.
B.
C.
D.

Microorganism
Animal only
Humans only
Human and animal

7.What are the symptoms of the leptospirosis at the first stage?

A.
B.
C.
D.

High temperature
Tummy (Abdominal pain)
Diarrhoea
Muscle pain

8. What are the symptoms of the leptospirosis at the second stage?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the heart muscle
Skin rash
Feeling sick (nausea)

9.How is leptospirosis diagnosed?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Diagnostic procedures for flu

Prescribe a 5 to 7 days of some antibiotics.
The doctor may ask any activities occurred in slaughterhouse
A series of blood and urine test

10. To prevent the leptospirosis from spreaded, the owner of the dog must..
A.
B.
C.
D.

Take a yearly vaccination for his/her dog

Take a high doses of intravenous penicillin
Pet a cat
Wear spalshproof clothing with gloves