During the spring calving season a ranch hand begins to run a fever and feel nauseous and achy. After he develops a headache and vomiting, he goes to a clinic. A microscopic exam of a urine sample reveals long thin microbes which move very rapidly in a corkscrewing pattern. The man may have contracted

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The long thin microbes that move rapidly in a corkscrewing pattern described in the question are indicative of the bacteria Leptospira, which causes leptospirosis. This disease is commonly associated with exposure to contaminated livestock urine, making it a possible threat to ranch hands during calving season. The symptoms mentioned in the question, such as fever, nausea, and headache, are all common signs of leptospirosis.

During the Spring Calving Season a Ranch Hand Begins to Run