Transbronchial Invasion and Proliferation of Leptospira interrogans in Lung without Inflammatory Cell Infiltration in a Hamster Model

Abstract

Leptospirosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira is one of the most common zoonoses in the world. It is believed that humans become infected with it mainly through their skin and mucous membranes by contact with water or soil that is contaminated with urine excreted from infected animals. Recently, outbreaks have frequently occurred in the tropics, especially after flooding, but how leptospires cause mass infection remains poorly understood.