Leptospira interrogans

By Jess Condon

Classification Domain: BacteriaKingdom: Monera

Phylum: Spirochaetes Class: Spirochaetes Order: SpirochaetalesFamily: Leptospiraceae

Genus: LeptospiraSpecies: Leptospira interrogans

Characteristics

• One of many species of Leptospira.

• Spirals cell shapes.

• 2 flagella for mobility.

• Pathogenic

Characteristics Cont.• Gram Stain is Negative

– Pink/ Red Color

• Does not always staincorrectly.

• Aerobic

Where Does it Live?• Bogs, Shallow Lakes,

Ponds, Puddles, etc.

• Needs complex organisms for a host.– Wild or Domestic Animals

• On every continent except Antarctica.

• Optimal pH– To survive: 6.9 – 7.4– To grow: 7.2 – 7.6

Diseases• Causes Leptospirosis

– Headaches, fever, flu-like symptoms.

– Can result in liver and kidney damage, or even death.

– Can be treated with large doses of antibiotics.

• Contact with urine or soil containing urine

• Enters through minor cuts– Ex.) Swimming in infected

water.

Works Cited • "Leptospira Interrogans." Welcome to the Schenectady County

Community College Web Site. Web. 02 Feb. 2011. <http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/mst/microbes/07linte.htm>.

• "Leptospira." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 02 Feb. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospira#Cellular_structure>.

• "Nursing Care Plan – Leptospirosis | Nursing Crib." Nursing Crib - Nursing Care Plans | Nursing News | Case Study | December 2010 Nursing Board Exam Results. Web. 02 Feb. 2011. <http://nursingcrib.com/nursing-care-plan/nursing-care-plan-leptospirosis/>.

• "Tilt: Bacterial Images." CVGS Home. Web. 02 Feb. 2011. <http://www.cvgs.k12.va.us/bison/research/bac_analysis/descpic.htm>.