Porcine Leptospirosis Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. In swine, it primarily manifests as a reproductive disease causing significant economic losses through abortions, stillbirths, weak piglets, and infertility. This disease is globally distributed and represents an important occupational zoonosis for swine industry workers.

Swine are maintenance hosts for several serovars including Pomona, Bratislava, and Tarassovi. Understanding the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of porcine leptospirosis is essential for NAVLE success.

Etiology

Causative Agent

Leptospira species are thin, tightly coiled, motile spirochetes measuring 6-20 micrometers in length and 0.1 micrometers in diameter. They possess characteristic hooked ends resembling a question mark, which is the origin of the species name interrogans. The organisms have two periplasmic flagella that enable their unique corkscrew motility.