Leptospirosis

**Semantic type:** Disease or Syndrome

**Definition:** A contagious bacterial infection caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Humans are infected by contact with water and soil which have been contaminated with animal waste products. The signs and symptoms include an initial flu-like phase, followed by a second phase in which patients may develop meningitis, liver failure and renal failure.

**Synonyms:** - Weil Disease