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

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

Signs of leptospirosis in sea lions include tightly tucked front flippers, severe lethargy and the animals drinking water.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2025

It's an antibiotic to prevent flood-borne diseases such as leptospirosis, which attacks the liver.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2025

Rio Grande do Sul state’s health secretariat confirmed the death of a 33-year-old man due to leptospirosis on Wednesday.

From Seattle Times ● May 22, 2024

By contrast, swine, mainstays of European agriculture, transmit anthrax, brucellosis, leptospirosis, trichinosis, and tuberculosis.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann