Estudio del agente causal de la Leptospirosis en perros y su importancia en la Salud Pública

This document deals with the study of the causal agent of Leptospirosis in dogs and its importance in Public Health. The conclusions determine that leptospirosis is considered one of the most widespread zoonoses and a serious public health problem throughout the world. The dog acts as a potential disseminator of this disease since it maintains a close relationship with man; Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, family Leptospiraceae, of the order Spirochateales. Two species are commonly recognized within this genus: L. biflexa and L. interrogans (pathogenic to dogs); Regarding public health, it can affect slaughterhouse workers, animal caretakers, veterinarians and garbage collectors; leptospires depend on water to survive and reach their definitive host, being a source of infection various moist materials or water contaminated with the urine of infected animals; penetrates man is through mucous membranes or skin wounds; the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is widely used in epidemiological studies; In dogs, the prevention of leptospirosis acquires greater relevance due to its zoonotic nature. To prevent this condition, it is essential to consider vaccination as the most effective process and the antibiotics recommended for the cure of the disease are: tetracycline dihydrostreptomycin, third-generation cephalosporins (ceftoxime and cefotaxime).

This document deals with the study of the causal agent of Leptospirosis in dogs and its importance in Public Health. The conclusions determine that leptospirosis is considered one of the most widespread zoonoses and a serious public health problem throughout the world. The dog acts as a potential disseminator of this disease since it maintains a close relationship with man; Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, family Leptospiraceae, of the order Spirochateales. Two species are commonly recognized within this genus: L. biflexa and L. interrogans (pathogenic to dogs); Regarding public health, it can affect slaughterhouse workers, animal caretakers, veterinarians and garbage collectors; leptospires depend on water to survive and reach their definitive host, being a source of infection various moist materials or water contaminated with the urine of infected animals; penetrates man is through mucous membranes or skin wounds; the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is widely used in epidemiological studies; In dogs, the prevention of leptospirosis acquires greater relevance due to its zoonotic nature. To prevent this condition, it is essential to consider vaccination as the most effective process and the antibiotics recommended for the cure of the disease are: tetracycline dihydrostreptomycin, third-generation cephalosporins (ceftoxime and cefotaxime).

El presente documento trata sobre el estudio del agente causal de la Leptospirosis en perros y su importancia en la Salud Pública. Las conclusiones determinan que leptospirosis es considerada una de las zoonosis más difundidas y un serio problema de salud pública en el mundo entero. El perro actúa como un potencial diseminador de esta enfermedad ya que mantiene una estrecha relación con el hombre; la leptospirosis es causada por bacterias del género Leptospira, familia Leptospiraceae, del orden Spirochateales. Dentro de este género se reconocen comúnmente dos especies: L. biflexa y L. interrogans (patógena de perros); en lo referente a saludo publica, puede afectar a trabajadores de mataderos, cuidadores de animales, médicos veterinarios y recolectores de basura; las leptospiras dependen del agua para sobrevivir y alcanzar a su huésped definitivo, siendo fuente de infección diversos materiales húmedos o aguas contaminadas con la orina de animales infectados; penetra al hombre es a través de las mucosas o de heridas en la piel; la prueba de microaglutinación (Microscopic Agglutination Test, MAT) se utiliza ampliamente en los estudios epidemiológicos; en los perros, la prevención de la leptospirosis adquiere mayor relevancia por su carácter zoonótico. Para prevenir este padecimiento se hace indispensable considerar a la vacunación como el proceso más efectivo y los antibióticos recomendados para la cura de la enfermedad son: tetraciclina dihidroestreptomicina, cefalosporinas de tercera generación (ceftoxima y cefotaxima).