**6. Necropsy findings**

Cows with acute leptospirosis are characterized by anemia, jaundice, hemoglobinuria, and lower lobe hemorrhage. An ulcer and bleeding may be present on the mucous membrane of the peritoneum. Pulmonary edema and emphysema are also common in cattle. Histologically, there is a progressive and diffuse interstitial nephritis and liver necrosis in the centre of the lobules. Sometimes the vascular lesions of the meninges are transferred to chronic infections. *Leptospira* can be seen in the silvery spots of a part of tortuous tubules proximal to the kidneys. In acute infection, there is minimal inflammation, and in the middle of the leaflet, there are only tubes filled with hemoglobin and visible liver necrosis. At a later

**53**

*Leptospirosis: Rising Nuisance for Cattle and Threat to Public Health*

stage, progressive interstitial nephritis is characterized by a small white cortical lesion, which initially slightly increases or decreases with increasing age of the lesion. The fruit of a broken cow is usually automated by the fact that there is no damage or bacteria. Even fresh fruit, positive identification of leptospirosis in lesions is not easy. Although the use of fluorescent antibody technology facilitates the identification of organisms, false positive results are common unless experienced diagnosticians interpret the test. Although dark field microscopy can be attempted, it is not suitable for tissue collected at dissection. Although PCR technology is important, in some cases, several primer sequences may be required. Samples for confirmation of diagnosis are kidney, liver and placenta. Histology

of kidney, liver, brain, heart, lungs and placenta can be performed. While for serological analysis heart blood serum or pericardial fluid from foetus can also be

The zoonotic potential of this organism should keep in mind during handling of

Treatment is based on severity of illness being presented by animal which in most of the cases is mild and self-limiting requiring no care. Other considerations, while treatment is considered, include differential diagnosis, cost, and availability of drugs. Treatment obtained based on in-vitro studies presented doxycycline, ampicillin, azithromycin or amoxicillin [64]. The double-blind randomized trials conducted on 29 patients produced promising results by reducing symptoms of malaise in 2 days preventing leptospiremia. The treatment, however, was not conclusive prevention from progression to severity [65]. Doxycycline or azithromycin is the drug of choice in endemic areas while contraindicated in pregnancy [64]. Sever cases are responsive to penicillin G sodium in studies conducted before 90s. The emerging resistance has narrowed spectrum of antibiotic use against infections [66]. Open randomized trial conducted with experiment involving 256 patients proved nonsignificant difference among penicillin G, cefotaxime, and doxycycline antibiotics [67]. Some of meta-analysis studies have reported nonsignificant difference between penicillin G and placebo on mortality [68]. Mortality is reported to increase up to 70% with pulmonary involvement which is due to immune-mediated inflammatory response. The therapeutic indicated for this complication is steroidal drugs. Early steroid administration was found responsive but methodologically flawed in various studies. Desmopressin was evaluated in various randomized studies as adjunct therapy with nonsignificant mortality benefits [69]. Therapy is considered beneficial with doxycycline or azithromycin along with steroid administration in mild and severe cases. Variations in studies are reported with nonsignifi-

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis with worldwide distribution. It is more prevalent in the developing countries. Hemorrhagic manifestations constitute the common clinical feature in leptospirosis [70]. In cattle, acute hemolytic syndrome of leptospirosis has been reported characterized by fever, icterus, anemia, and hemoglobinuria [71]. Without effective treatment, hemolytic syndrome in cattle may result in death. A high mortality rate of severe disease was determined to be associated with certain serotypes of *Leptospira* [72]. The disease, for instance, causes a decrease in erythrocyte and platelet counts, leading to anemia and hemorrhagic diathesis, respectively.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82211*

carcasses and submitting specimens.

cant benefits to mortality reduction.

**7.1 Blood transfusion**

obtained.

**7. Treatment**
