Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease resulting in abortion, decreased fertility and mastitis in cattle.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis. Farmers/farmworkers, abattoir workers and vets are the main risk groups. The disease in man is usually acquired from contact with the urine, placental material or aborted foetus of an infected animal or with contaminated water. Clinical signs of the disease are flu-like, with headaches and fever, occasionally progressing into meningitis.

Aetiology

Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Leptospira. Leptospires are helical motile bacteria and can survive for extended periods in wet soil and stagnant water.

Leptospira bacteria cause disease in many different species including man. In cattle disease is mainly caused by two serogroups of the serovar Leptospira hardjo, although other leptospira species can affect cattle.