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Submitted to: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Publication Type: Literature Review Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/1995 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Leptospirosis in dogs has long been recognized as an important source of exposure for humans. Dogs tend to have more contact with humans than livestock species and therefore represent a significant risk. Leptospirosis in dogs in the United States has traditionally been associated with infection by Leptospira interrogans serovars canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae. Widespread use of leptospiral vaccines containing these serovars has decreased the incidence of infection in dogs, and has, therefore, decreased the risk of exposure of humans to these agents. Recently, infections of dogs with leptospiral serovars pomona, grippotyphosa, and bratislava have become common. Protection against infection with these serovars is not provided by current canine vaccines. Caution should be exercised when handling urine and body fluids of dogs with illness compatible with leptospirosis regardless of the vaccination history. |
