Author
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Zuerner, Richard |
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Submitted to: Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: A review of leptospirosis is presented. Leptospirosis is caused by the pathogenic members of the genus Leptospira. This disease is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases in the world. Most, if not all, mammalian species can be infected by these organisms. There is considerable genetic and antigenic diversity among pathogenic leptospires, yet the clinical manifestations of the disease they cause are similar. There are several suspected virulence factors which have been described for the pathogenic leptospires. Currently, there is considerable controversy regarding the nature of protective antigens in Leptospira. Using the hamster as an animal model of human infection, evidence has been presented which suggests that the lipopolysaccharide-like substance (LLS) in the outer membrane can protect against infection. However, in cattle, high antibody titers to LLS failed to protect against challenge. Current strategies to direct antibody development to outer membrane proteins are discussed. |