Epidemiological patterns of leptospirosis

Abstract

Leptospires are ubiquitous spirochetes. While the butchers, laboratory personnel who handle laboratory animals saprophytic species is a usual contaminant of surface waters, etc. are at high risk for contracting leptospirosis by direct the primary habitat of the pathogenic species is the distal transmission. When the immediate source of infection is tubules of the kidneys of rodents, the reservoir hosts and environment contaminated with the urine of carrier animals, various other animal species. The pathogenic leptospires shed the transmission is termed as indirect. Agricultural workers, in the urine of the carrier animals contaminate the environment sewage workers, people walking barefoot in water-logged and cause human and animal infection throughout the world. areas, sportspersons who participate in water-related sports Leptospirosis, the infection caused by leptospires, is the most such as rafting, canoeing, swimming etc. are at high risk of widespread zoonosis in the world. The core determinants of contracting the disease through indirect transmission. transmission of leptospiral infection are the presence of carrier The specific risk factors of infection vary from one animals, suitability of the environment for the survival of epidemiological setting to another. In a typical rural agrarian leptospires and interaction between man, animals and community, agricultural activities, other activities in farm land environment. From this simplified model, it might appear that or outdoor environment, forestry, fresh-water fishing, frequent the epidemiology of leptospirosis is simple and straight wading through stagnant water-bodies and use of unprotected forward, though in reality, the core determinants are often water sources for bathing and washing are often implicated influenced by various socio-cultural, occupational, behavioral as risk factors for transmission of infection. In a typical urban and environmental factors prevailing in a community and community in developing countries, where the level of hence the epidemiology of the disease could be quite complex environmental sanitation is poor and the population density is high, exposure to sewage water, bare-foot walking, contact