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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #69344

Title: DIAGNOSIS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS IN COMPANION ANIMALS

Author
item Bolin, Carole

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Canine leptospirosis has been described since 1899 and vaccines were developed for protection of dogs from this disease. Widespread use of canine leptospiral vaccines decreased the incidence of infection dramatically and decreased clinical attention to the disease. However, leptospirosis recently has reemerged as an important cause of febrile illness, and hepatic and renal disease in dogs. Feline leptospirosis is rare although the incidence of infection is higher than is recognized. Diagnosis of letpospirosis is difficult and no single diagnostic test provides optimal sensitivity or specificity. A combination of procedures, including serologic assays and tests to detect the presence of leptospires in tissues or body fluids, is recommended.