Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae (L. icterohaemorrhagiae)

Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae is a pathogenic spirochete bacterium and the primary causative agent of Weil's disease, the most severe form of leptospirosis. This zoonotic pathogen is typically transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected reservoir hosts, particularly rats (Rattus norvegicus) (CDC, 2024). Once inside the host, the organism utilizes specialized motility and surface proteins to disseminate through the bloodstream and invade multiple organs, notably the liver, kidneys, and lungs (StatPearls, 2023). Clinically, the infection can lead to a life-threatening triad of jaundice, acute renal failure, and hemorrhage (NIH, 2022). While not a single molecular receptor, the bacterium contains various essential enzymes and structural proteins that are targeted by broad-spectrum antibiotics. Therapy typically involves the use of penicillin or ceftriaxone for severe cases, or doxycycline for mild infections, to disrupt bacterial cell wall integrity or protein synthesis (PubMed, 2021). Efficient treatment requires early intervention to prevent systemic complications and the potentially dangerous Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction during bacterial clearance.

Other names

Leptospira interrogans serogroup IcterohaemorrhagiaeWeil's disease spirocheteLeptospira icterohaemorrhagiae

Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis (beta-lactams); Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S or 50S ribosomal subunits (tetracyclines, macrolides).