Weil's syndrome is a disease that damages the kidneys, liver, blood vessels, lungs and skeletal muscle. It can also lead to meningitis. The disease is caused by bacteria, but transmitted through the urine of infected foxes and other infected animals. The bacteria can also survive for several months in soil and water, placing sewer workers, farmers and fishermen at high risk.
What is Weil's Syndrome?
Leptospira interrogans is a spirochete which causes a disease named leptospirosis, as explained by Peter Speelman, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases in "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." A spirochete is a bacterium which has a spiral shape and a structure which makes it very flexible. People with the mild form of leptospirosis feel like they have the flu. But the severe form is called Weil's syndrome. People with this form of the disease will usually have kidney and liver abnormalities, as well as hemorrhaging.
Transmission
Leptospira infects various kinds of animals such as foxes and other wild animals, rodents, dogs and farm animals. In fact, they infect more than 160 species worldwide, according to Dr. Speelman. The bacteria can live in the kidneys of animals for several years or can be excreted in their urine. Leptospira can also survive for several months in water. People usually become infected when they come into contact with contaminated soil or water. Sewer workers, farmers and fishermen are especially at risk for contracting this disease.
Disease Development
The infection starts when the bacteria enter through the mouth, nose or a cut in the skin. They circulate throughout the bloodstream and multiply in the blood, as well as in several organs and tissues. Leptospira cause a vasculitis, or an inflammation of the blood vessels, because they damage their walls. The blood vessels will then leak, which leads to hemorrhaging. The hemorrhaging harms the lungs, damage the kidneys and liver, and the skeletal muscles swell from infection. Dr. Speelman writes that the bacteria tend to stay in the kidneys, eyes and sometimes the brain.
Symptoms
Burke Cunha, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York School of Medicine, writes about the symptoms of Weil's syndrome in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." People are usually less mentally alert, have fever, weakness, and a yellowish color to the skin and sclera, or white part of the eye. They will have nosebleeds and hemorrhage into their skin from the damaged blood vessels. They may also bleed easier from trauma if their platelet levels drop, as platelets are the blood cells that help form clots. People may also have hematuria, or blood in their urine.
Diagnosis
Physicians have several tests available that they can use to determine the diagnosis. Blood cultures can tell if there are bacteria in the bloodstream and what type. Liver function tests can check on liver abnormality. Chemistry tests and CBC, or the complete blood test, can determine if there are any abnormalities in the electrolytes, glucose levels and blood cells and see if there are kidney abnormalities. Dr. Cunha writes that people should have a lumbar puncture if the physician suspects meningitis from the leptospira. This will check the cerebrospinal fluid which circulates around the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, the membrane that covers the brain.
References
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony Fauci, M.D., Dennis Kasper, M.D., Dan Longo, M.D. et al.; 2008
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Leptospirosis
