Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Leptospirosis infection passed from pet dog to person
By Nakashiro, Haruki et al.·Published in BMJ case reports·2024·Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Leptospirosis transmitted from a pet dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A middle-aged woman developed a fever and diarrhea after her pet dog had similar symptoms a month earlier. She was treated in the emergency department for muscle pain and low blood pressure, and tests confirmed she had leptospirosis, an infection that can be transmitted from dogs to humans. The woman received intravenous antibiotics, which helped her recover. This case highlights the importance of recognizing that pets can spread certain infections to their owners.
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Abstract
Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis in tropical regions and it is not frequently recognised in developed countries. We report a case of leptospirosis transmitted from a pet dog. A middle-aged woman was referred to our emergency department with a 7-day history of fever and diarrhoea. She presented with hypotension, tachycardia, grasping pain in the entire muscle and petechiae. A detailed medical interview revealed that her pet dog had been to the veterinarian 1 month earlier with similar symptoms. We treated her with intravenous antibiotics. The patient's diagnosis of leptospirosis was confirmed by serological testing and the detection of DNA in her urine. We contacted the veterinarian and shared the information. We found that the dog had suffered from leptospirosis based on serological testing. We emphasise the possibility of leptospirosis being transmitted from pet dogs. Persistent suspicion of leptospirosis will contribute to its diagnosis and improved public health.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39106996/