leptospirosis

noun

lep·​to·​spi·​ro·​sis ˌlep-tə-spī-ˈrō-səs 

plural leptospiroses ˌlep-tə-spī-ˈrō-ˌsēz 

: any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals that are caused by infection with leptospires

Examples of leptospirosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of these can be severe, such as leptospirosis, also called Weil’s disease, which can cause kidney and liver damage and even death without treatment. —Laura Paddison, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025

Unfortunately, leptospirosis does have a fairly high mortality rate, so the reported numbers of 50% survival seem correct. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 13 Oct. 2024

The National Park Service reports that rats can also carry the pathogens hantavirus, leptospirosis, rat bite fever, and salmonellosis to human populations. —Jasmine Baehr, Fox News, 19 Sep. 2024

Leptospira can cause leptospirosis, which can result in fevers, headaches, chills, muscle aches and vomiting. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1926, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

leptospirosis

noun

lep·​to·​spi·​ro·​sis ˌlep-tə-spī-ˈrō-səs 

plural leptospiroses -ˌsēz 

: any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals (as cattle and dogs) that are caused by infection with spirochetes of the genus Leptospira

called also lepto

see stuttgart disease, weil's disease