Leptospirosis Guidelines

Leptospirosis describes a variety of clinical syndromes caused by infection with the Gram-negative spiral bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

In horses, Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona type kennewicki is responsible for most cases of clinical disease in North America, although Leptospira kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa has also been reported. Frequently affected organs include the placenta and fetus, the kidneys, and the eyes. Leptospira Pomona type Kennewicki (and rarely Leptospira kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa) cause three clinical syndromes in horses: acute renal failure, in-utero infection and equine recurrent uveitis.