FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected persons, however, may have no symptoms at all.
What are leptospires?
Leptospires are bacteria which can be either pathogenic (i.e. having the potential to cause disease in animals and
humans) or saprophytic (i.e. free living and generally considered not to cause disease). Pathogenic leptospires are maintained in nature in the renal tubules and genital tracts of certain animals.
Which animals are considered as reservoirs of leptospirosis?
Rodents were the first recognized carriers of leptospirosis. They are the
only major animal species that can shed leptospires throughout their lifespan without clinical manifestations,
i.e. prolonged carrier state. They are incriminated as a primary source of infection to human beings. Although
serovars Ichterohaemorrhagiae, Copenhageni, Grippotyphosa and Ballum have been often associated with rodents, other serovars have also been isolated.
What is the mode of transmission of leptospirosis?
Human leptospiral infections result primarily from direct or indirect exposure to the urine of infected
animals.
A research project aims to enhance knowledge transfer and collaborative networking on building resilience against leptospirosis in Malaysia.
Contact Us
Dr. Nur Juliani Shafie
- +609-6683381
- nur.shafie@umt.edu.my
Location
Faculty of Science and Marine Environment,
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu,
21030 Kuala Nerus,
Terengganu, Malaysia.
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