Question

Leptospira interrogans a) how to isolate (sputum, blood, fecal matter, etc.) b) where found-niche (water, air, food, etc.) c) what media (nutrient, starch, etc) d) selective growth condition (aerobic, anaerobic, etc.) e) identifying traits f) give virulent facts (those that help it be pathogenic) g) disease it may cause h) how each disease could be treated

Answer 1

a) Leptospira interrogans is isolated from blood, urinal sample or spinal fluid.

b) It is spread mostly ba water or direct skin to skin contact. Additionally, vegetables or water which can get ontaminated by urine of animal who has the infection caused by Leptospira interrogans .

c) The widely used medium which generally used for the culture of Leptospira interrogans contains coponants like fatty acids and bovine serum albumin. EMJH or Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris medium is commonly used.

d) Leptospira interrogans is obligate aerobic, where oxygen is required for growth.

e) The spae of Leptospira interrogans is like cork screw and they wil have a hook like structure at the end, which are generally missing from other spirochaete bacteria. Their length varies from 6-20 µm and have a diameter in range of 0.1 µm.

f) LPS or leptospiral lipopolysaccharide is one of the virulance factor which is used by Leptospira interrogans. Additionally, hemolysins, surface proteins, OMPs or outer membrane proteins can also take part in pathogenesis.

g) Disease which is commonly found with Leptospira interrogans is known as Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis occured both in human and animals. Leptospirosis shows syptoms like fever, headache or pain in muscle. In some severe cases meningitis or bleeding from lung can also occurs.

h) Leptospirosis mostly treated by the use of antibiotic. Application of intravenous injection of antibiotic or in severe cases intesnsive medical attention is required.