leptospirosis

American  

[lep-toh-spahy-roh-sis] / ˌlɛp toʊ spaɪˈroʊ sɪs /

noun

Pathology, Veterinary Pathology.

1. an infectious disease of humans and of horses, dogs, swine, and other animals, caused by the spirochete Leptospira interrogans and characterized by fever, muscle pain, and jaundice, and in severe cases involving the liver and kidney.

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leptospirosis British  

/ ˌlɛptəʊspaɪˈrəʊsɪs /

noun

1. Also called: Weil's disease. any of several infectious diseases caused by spirochaete bacteria of the genus Leptospira, transmitted to man by animals and characterized by jaundice, meningitis, and kidney failure

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Etymology

Origin of leptospirosis

From New Latin, dating back to 1925–30; see origin at leptospira, -osis

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

leptospirosis

Examples include people being sickened with, and dying from, rat-borne diseases such as leptospirosis after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

Pet owners should also contact their local veterinary clinic to see if there’s a leptospirosis vaccine available for their dogs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2025

Many cities in the state are still under water and conditions could see leptospirosis cases go up.

From BBC ● May 25, 2024

Health experts had previously forecast a surge in infectious diseases including leptospirosis and hepatitis B within a couple weeks of the floods, as sewage mixed into the floodwaters.

From Seattle Times ● May 22, 2024

They include cat scratch fever from our cats, leptospirosis from our dogs, psittacosis from our chickens and parrots, and brucellosis from our cattle.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

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