Definition
In the medical field, the term "leptospirosis" refers to a group of systemic infectious zoonoses, supported by bacteria belonging to the genus Leptospira. Leptospirosis should not be confused - as often happens - with yellow fever.
Causes
Leptospirosis is caused by small bacteria (spirochetes) belonging to the genus Leptospira; although the infection particularly affects domestic animals and birds, following occasional contact with these infected animals, leptospirosis can also be transmitted to humans.
Symptoms
The acute phase of leptospirosis begins with a sudden and exaggerated increase in basal temperature, accompanied by anorexia, chills, pharyngodinia, jaundice, headache, general malaise, nausea. After 4-8 days, the immune phase follows, in which the disease is characterized by the disappearance of leptospires in the blood, with histological lesions against the kidney, meninges and liver, and infiltration of lymphocytes.
- Possible complications: pulmonary disorders, hyperazotemia, hypercreatininemia, myocarditis, tubular necrosis
Information on Leptospirosis - Drugs for the Treatment of Leptospirosis is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Leptospirosis - Drugs for the treatment of Leptospirosis.
drugs
Early diagnosis of leptospirosis and the timeliness of specific treatments are indispensable both to speed up the recovery time of the disease and to escape its complications. In general, the administration of antibiotics is useful to combat the pathogenic microorganism and to shorten the natural course of leptospirosis. It is important to emphasize that the administration of antibiotics is useful only when it is started early, within the first 5 days after the onset of symptoms.
Sometimes, the insult of the pathogen is so severe as to require hospitalization of the patient: in similar situations, it is possible to use dialysis (in case of renal impairment), cardiological treatment (to cure possible cardiovascular insufficiency ) and transfusions (if leptospirosis causes bleeding).
It is always essential to ensure the patient an adequate electrolyte balance.
- Doxycycline (eg Doxicicl, Periostat, Miraclin, Bassado): this antibiotic, belonging to the class of tetracyclines, is one of the most used in therapy for the treatment of leptospirosis. Indicatively, take 100 mg, 1-2 times a day, orally, for a period of 7-10 days.
- Ampicillin (eg Ampilux, Amplital, Unasyn): the drug is an amino-penicillin often used in therapy for the treatment of leptospirosis. For the treatment of moderate or severe form, the indicative dosage is 0.5-1 g, to be injected into a vein every 6 hours. For the mild form, it is possible to reduce the dose of the drug from 500 to 750 mg, to be taken orally, every 6 hours.
- Penicillin G or benzylpenicillin (eg Benzil B, Benzil P): for the treatment of leptospirosis, it is recommended to take 1.5 million units of active ingredient every 6 hours, for 7 days. Follow the instructions prescribed by your doctor. Do not interrupt the treatment before the scheduled time.
- Tetracycline (eg Tetrac C, Pensulvit, Ambramycin): it is recommended to take 500 mg of active, 4 times a day, for 7-10 days. Consult your doctor.
- Ceftriaxone (eg Ceftriaxone, Pantoxon, Ragex, Deixim): the third-generation cephalosporin drug is used as an alternative to penicillin in patients with severe leptospirosis. As an indication, take the drug at a dose of 1 gram, intravenously, for 7 days.
