Leptospirosis Caused by Serotype fort-Bragg

Seven serologically proved cases of leptospirosis occurred in five families in a Portland, Oregon, suburb in the first 3 months of 1972. Leptospires of serotype fort-bragg of the Autumnalis serogroup were isolated from the urine of two patients. All 7 patients showed serologic evidence of Autumnalis infection. Symptoms included headache, fever, and myalgia. Three patients had rash and two, jaundice. A pet dog owned by the family in which three of the cases occurred died of leptospirosis in March 1972 after a 4-month illness. Two of five veterinary workers who handled the dog had demonstrable titers against antigens of the Autumnalis serogroup. Whether this dog introduced fort-bragg leptospires into the community or whether he was locally infected from another source could not be determined.