CLINICAL DESCRIPTION

A group of zoonotic bacterial diseases characterized by fever, headache, chills, myalgia, conjuctival redness, and less frequently by meningitis, rash, jaundice or renal insufficiency. Symptoms may be biphasic.

Transmission occurs via contact of abraded skin or mucous membrane with contaminated water, moist soil or vegetation. The incubation period is usually 10 days, ranging from 4 to 19 days.

1. CONFIRMED

   A clinically compatible case AND:

   • Isolation of Leptospira from a clinical specimen, OR

   • Fourfold or greater increase in Leptospira agglutination titer between acute and convalescent-phase serum samples obtained greater than or equal to 2 weeks apart and tested in the same laboratory, OR

   • Demonstration of Leptospira in a clinical specimen by immunofluorescence.
     
     
2. PROBABLE
   
   A clinically compatible case with Leptospira agglutination titer at least 1:200 in a single specimen.
   
   
3. POSSIBLE
   
   Initially reported on the basis of clinical diagnosis, until confirmation is obtained; no possible case classifications are retained.
   
   

What you should know about Leptospirosis?