Author
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Zuerner, Richard |
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Submitted to: Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Leptospirosis is a disease caused by members of the genus Leptospira. It is commonly found in both livestock and wildlife and can be transmitted to humans. A short review of this disease and the bacteria which cause it is presented. The purpose of this report is to familiarize members of academia and industry with this disease. Among items specifically addresse in this review are a description of the disease, characterization of the bacteria which cause it, and features of the bacterium involved in inducing a protective immune response. Technical Abstract: Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic members of the genus Leptospira is a systemic disease often resulting in reproductive failure. It has two clinical forms, a host adapted disease or an acute infection resulting from accidental infection of a non-native host animal species. The bacteria which cause this disease are spirochetes which grow on fatty acids and fatty alcohols. Little is known about the process of inducing protective immunity to these bacteria. Both protein and LPS-like antigens have been implicated in being important in developing protective immunity. A short review of the factors thought to be important to developing a protective immune response is presented. |
