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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312083
Title: European consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs and cats

Author
item SCHULLER, SIMONE - University Of Bern
item FRANCEY, THIERRY - University Of Bern
item HARTMANN, KATRIN - University Of Munich
item HUGONNARD, MARINE - University Of Lyon
item KOHN, BARBARA - Freie University
item Nally, Jarlath
item SYKES, JANE - University Of California

Submitted to: Journal of Small Animal Practice
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/28/2014
Publication Date: 3/20/2015
Citation: Schuller, S., Francey, T., Hartmann, K., Hugonnard, M., Kohn, B., Nally, J.E., Sykes, J. 2015. European consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs and cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 56(3):159-179. DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12328.

Interpretive Summary: Leptospirosis is a global disease caused by a unique group of bacteria, pathogenic serovars of Leptospira. These bacteria cause a range of diseases in many wild and domestic mammalian species including cats and dogs. Aside from causing clinical disease in cats and dogs, leptospires can be transmitted via urine of subclinically infected cats and dogs which may act as a source of infection for other animals, as well as humans. In 2011, a small animal consensus statement on leptospirosis was published by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, outlining the current opinion on leptospirosis, with a focus on canine leptospirosis in North America. However, there are important differences in the disease observed by clinicians in North America compared to those in Europe including clinical presentations as well as differences in the serovars of Leptospira responsible. The aim of this consensus statement is to raise awareness about leptospirosis in cats and dogs in Europe, and to outline current knowledge of its epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic tools that are available, disease prevention including vaccination, and treatment measures.

Technical Abstract: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution affecting most mammalian species. Clinical leptospirosis is common in dogs but seems to be rare in cats. Both dogs and cats however, can shed leptospires in the urine. This is problematic as it can lead to exposure of humans. The control of leptospirosis therefore is important not only from an animal, but also a public health perspective. The aim of this consensus statement is to raise awareness about leptospirosis and to outline current knowledge of the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic tools, prevention, and treatment measures relevant to canine and feline leptospirosis in Europe.