Leptospira as an emerging pathogen: a review of its biology, pathogenesis and host immune responses. Future Microbiol 2010 Sep;5(9):1413-25
Date
09/24/2010Pubmed ID
20860485Pubmed Central ID
PMC3037011DOI
10.2217/fmb.10.102Scopus ID
2-s2.0-77957582069 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 288 CitationsAbstract
Leptospirosis, the most widespread zoonosis in the world, is an emerging public health problem, particularly in large urban centers of developing countries. Several pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira can cause a wide range of clinical manifestations, from a mild, flu-like illness to a severe disease form characterized by multiorgan system complications leading to death. However, the mechanisms of pathogenesis of Leptospira are largely unknown. This article will address the animal models of acute and chronic leptospire infections, and the recent developments in the genetic manipulation of the bacteria, which facilitate the identification of virulence factors involved in pathogenesis and the assessment of their potential values in the control and prevention of leptospirosis.
Author List
Evangelista KV, Coburn JAuthor
Jenifer Coburn PhD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Acute DiseaseAnimals
Chronic Disease
Communicable Diseases, Emerging
Cricetinae
Disease Models, Animal
Dogs
Guinea Pigs
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Leptospira
Leptospirosis
Mice
Rats
Virulence
