Leptospira /-spī″rə/ [Gk, leptos + speira, coil] , a genus of the family Leptospiracceae, order Spirochaetales; tightly coiled microorganisms having spirals with hooked ends. The spirochete thrives in the urine of infected animals, especially rodents; is pathogenic to humans and other mammals; and may cause hepatitis, jaundice, skin hemorrhages, fever, renal failure, mental status changes, and muscular illness. See also leptospirosis.
