Emergency: requires immediate attention
Leptospirosis - Chem-Bio-Rad Suspicion
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Synopsis

Humans can also become infected if water or soil contaminated with infected urine or animal tissue comes in contact with breaks in the skin or mucosal surfaces. This can occur through recreational or occupational exposures. People at risk for leptospirosis include military personnel, veterinarians, dog and other pet owners, slaughterhouse and sewer workers, campers, swimmers, waders, white water rafters, and dairy, cattle and pig farmers. The infection can also be transmitted person-to-person by direct contact with contaminated urine and body fluids.
Transmission tends to be greatest during warm and wet seasons, typically fall in North America.
Cases of leptospirosis have been documented on all continents in both temperate and tropical climates. However, few cases occur in the United States (100-200 annually, of which half occur in Hawaii).
There is no vaccine against leptospirosis in North America, although a Chinese vaccine for rice paddy workers exists, but protection is short-lived, and boosters are required.
Codes
ICD10CM:A27.9 – Leptospirosis, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
77377001 – Leptospirosis
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Yellow fever may be differentiated, as it is not found in Asia.
- Malaria
- Dengue
- Blastomycosis
- Glanders
- Legionellosis
- Pneumonic plague
- Psittacosis
- Q fever
- Tularemia
- Influenza
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- Ricin inhalation
- Staphylococcal enterotoxin B inhalation
- Argentine hemorrhagic fever
- Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
- Rift Valley fever
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Last Reviewed:02/15/2017
Last Updated:08/29/2013
Last Updated:08/29/2013
Emergency: requires immediate attention
Leptospirosis - Chem-Bio-Rad Suspicion
See also in: Overview