SRI SAIRAM AYURVEDA MEDICAL COLLEGE AND

RESEARCH CENTRE

DEPARTMENT OF AGADATANTRA

COMPILATION WORK ON

MOOSHIKA VISHA

By,

R.Guna soundari

3rd year BAMS

 SRI SAI RAM AYURVEDA MEDICAL COLLEGE AND RESEARCH CENTRE

WEST TAMBARAM, CHENNAI

DEPARTMENT OF AGADATANTRA

Certified that this compilation was prepared by…………………………………………… of

…………………………… year B.A.M.S during the year …………………………………and this

is the bonafide record of the work of the candidate.

Registration number ………………………..

Lecturer H.O.D

Place:

Date:

Verified the compilation

Internal examiner …………………………………………………………………

External examiner…………………………………………………………………
 Index:

1.Introduction

2.Synonyms

3.Vishadhistana

4.Types of mooshika

5.Saamanya lakshana of mooshika visha

6.Nature of mooshika swarupa

7.Vishesha lakshana of mooshika visha and its chikitsa

8.Asadhya lakshana of mooshika visha

9.Chikitsa

10.Rat bite fever

11.Plague

12.leptospirosis
INTRODUCTION:

The term mushika visha is made of two words, mushika and visha.

The word mushika is derived from;

Mush dhatu which means to steal/rob/plunder. Since, rat is having these characteristics it
was named so.

The word visha is derived from vish dhatu which means to encompass/ to fully pervades.

Since , the visha causes sorrow by fully pervading our body aacharaya Sushruta defines it as,

विषादं जननत्वात ् च विषं इति अभिधीयते॥

By this it could be understood that, Mooshika visha refers to “a state of vishadatvam due to affliction
by the vishadhustana of rat either directly or indirectly”. It was enlisted as one among the jangama
visha(animal poison).the detailed description about moshika visha was dealt in our classics by
aacharya Sushruta and aacharya Vaghbhata.

Synonymns:

The mushika is refered by various other names which are as follows;

मषि
ू क नख

मूषक खनक

पिंग विलकार

आखु धान्यारि

उन्दरु
ु क बहुप्रज
Vishadhistana/mode of spread:

शुक्र

मूत्र

पुरीष

नख

The affliction by above parts of mushika are poisonous.

Among this semen is the most poisonous one.

शुक्रंपतति यत्र एषां शुक्रदिग्धैः स्पश

ृ न्ति वा।

यदं गमंगस्
ै तत्रास्रे दषि
ू ते पाण्डुतां गते ॥ - अ.हृ.उ-३८/३

Contact with semen or scratch by nails or bite by teeth or contact with any things which are

contaminated by semen will cause vitiation of rakta at that site and subsequent pallor.

Types of mushika:

According to aacharya Sushruta, there are 18 types of mushika. They are;

1. लालन

2. पुत्रकः

3. कृष्ण

4. हं सिर

5. चिक्विर

6. छुच्छुन्दर

7. अलस

8. कषायदशन

9. कुलिंग

10. अजित

11. चपलः
 12. कपिलः

13. कोकिल

14. अरुण

15. महाकृष्ण

16. महाश्वेत

17. महाकपिल

18. कपोताभ

Samanya lakshana of mooshika visha:

जायन्ते ग्रन्थयः शोफाः कर्णिका मण्डलानि च |

पीडकोपचयश्चोग्रो विसर्पाः किटिभानि च ||

पर्वभेदो रुजस्तीव्रा मूर्च्छाऽङ्गसदनं ज्वरः |

दौर्बल्यमरुचिः श्वासो वमथुर्लोमहर्षणम ् ||

दष्टरूपं समासोक्तमेतद्व्यासमतः शण
ृ ु | - सु.क-७/८-१०

 Granthi- formation of nodules

 Shopha – swelling
 Karnika – auricular growth
 Mandala – circular patches
 Pidaka – appearance of numerous blisters
 Visarpa – cellulitis
 Kitibha – psoriasis like leisons
 Parvabheda – pain in the joints
 Tivra ruja – severe pain
 Murcha – fainting
 Angasadana – malaise
 Jwara – fever
 Daurbalya – weakness
 Aruchi – anorexia
 Swasa – dyspnoea
 Vamathu – vomiting
  Lomaharsa – horripilation

Blood becomes vitiated and pale (white) at the contaminated site.

Vomiting of kapha with plenty of masses resembling rats and thirst.

Nature of mushika visha:

व्यवाय्याखुविषं कृच्छरं भूयो भूयश्च कुप्यति | -अ.हृ.उ-३८/६

Poison of mice is vyavayi (spreads all over the body quickly),

It is difficult to cure.

Gets aggravated again and again.

Vishesha lakshana of mushika visha and its chikitsa:

s.no Type Symptom treatment

1. Lalana Salivation, hiccup, Tanduliyaka (Amaranthus
vomiting spinosus) with honey.
2. Putraka White discoloration and Paste of Shireesha (albizia
weakness of body, lebbeck) and Ingudi (balanites
appearance of small aegyptiaca) with honey.
nodules on body
resembling Mooshika.
3. Krisna Swelling, haematemeis. Decoction of Shireesha fruit
(Albizia lebbeck) and Kushtha
(Saussurea lappa) with ash of
Palaash flower (Butea
frondosa).
4. Hamsira Aversion to food, yawing Patient should be made to vomit
and horripilations. well by use of drugs and then
drink the decoction of
Aargvadhaadi Gana.
5. Chikvira Headache, swelling, Patient should be made vomit by
hiccup, vomiting. drinking the decoction of
Jalini (Langenaria vulgaris),
Madana (Randia spinosa) and
Ankola (Alangium
salvifolium).
6. Chucchundara Thirst, vomiting, fever, Decoction of Chavya (Piper
debility, stiffness of cheba), Haritaki (Terminalia
neck, loss of sence of chebula), Shunthi (Euphorbia
smell and nerifolia), Vidanga (Emblia
gastroenteritis. ribes), Pippali (Piper longum),
Ankota along with honey.
7. Alasa Stiffness of neck, pain at Mahagada with honey and ghee.
bite site and fever.
8. Kashayadasana More sleep, dryness of Powder of Shireesh bark and fruit
region of heart (Albizia lebbeck) with honey.
emaciation.
9. Kulinga Pain and swelling at bite Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus),
site. Maashparni (Termnus labialis)
and Sinduvaara (Vitex
nigundo) along with honey.
10. Ajita Black discolourtion of Paste of Paalindee (Operculina
body, vomiting, turpethum), Manjistha (Rubia
fainting. cordifolia) macerated in milky
sap of Snuhi (Euphorbia
nerifolia) along with honey
11. Capala Vomiting, fainting and Powder of Triphala (Terminalia
thirst. chebula, Terminalia belerica,
Emblica officinalis), Devadaru
(Cedrus deodara), and
Jatamansi (Nordostachys
jatamansi) along with honey.
12. Kapila Ulcers with suppuration, Shweta Aparajita (Clitoria
fever, development of ternate), Shewta punarnava
tumors, thirst. (Boerhavia diffusa) along with
honey.
13. Kokila Tumors, high fever, Ghee prepared from Punarnava
burning sensation. and Nilinee (Indigofera
tinctoria)
14. Aruna Causes aggrevation of Blood letting, putrifictory
Vata Dosha and causes therapies and medicated ghee
development of prepared by using Gunja
tumors, discolouered (Abrus precatorious) and
 patches with small Kakmachi (Solanum nigrum)
eruption and swelling. is useful.
15. Mahakrisna Causes aggrevation of Same as Aruna type of Mooshika
Pitta Dosha and causes Visha treatment.
development of
tumors, discolured
patches with small
eruption and swelling
16. Mahasweta Causes aggrevation of Same as Aruna type of Mooshika
Kapha Dosha and Visha treatment.
causes development of
tumors, discolured
patches with small
eruption and swelling
17. Mahakapila Causes aggrevation of Same as Aruna type of Mooshika
Rakta Dosha and Visha treatment.
causes development of
tumors, discolured
patches with small
eruption and swelling.
18. Kapotabha Causes aggrevation of Same as Aruna type of Mooshika
Tridosha and Rakta Visha treatment.
and causes
development of
tumors, discolured
patches with small
eruption and swelling

Asadhya lakshana of mushika visha:

मूर्च्छां शोफ वैवर्ण्य क्लेद शबदाश्रुति ज्वराः।

शिरोगरु
ु त्वं लालासक
ृ ् छर्दिश्च असाध्यलक्षणम ्॥ -अ.हृ.उ-३८/६-७

Fainting, swelling of the body, discolouration, exudation/moistness, loss of hearing, fever, feeling of

heaviness of the head, excess salivation, and vomiting of blood are the symptoms of asadhya condition.
 शूनबस्ति विवर्णौष्ठं आख्वााभैर्ग्रन्थिभिश्चितम ्।

छुच्छुन्दरसगन्धं च वर्जयेत ् आखुदषि

ू तम ्॥ - अ.हृ.उ-३८/७-८

Swelling of the urinary bladder,

Discolouration of the lips,

Body covered with nodules resembling rats

Emitting smell like that of rat,

patient having such kind of symptoms should be rejected for treatment.

Treatment of mushika visha:

सिराश्च स्रावयेत ् प्राप्ताः कुर्यात ् संशोधनानि च |

सर्वेषां च विधिः कार्यो मषि
ू काणां विषेष्वयम ् ||

दग्ध्वा विस्रावयेद्दंशं प्रच्छितं च प्रलेपयेत ् | - सु.क-७/३२-३३

The following treatment modalities should be followed in all kind of mushika visha,

Dahana karma

Sira visravana

Pralepanam

Samshodanam

Dahana:

Dalhana comments that dahana with heated ghee.

आखन
ु ा दष्टमात्रस्य दं शं काण्डेन दाहयेत ्।

दर्पणेनाथवा तीव्ररुजा स्यात ् कर्णिकाऽन्यथा॥ - अ.हृ.उ-३८/१६-१७

Immediately after the bite by mushika the site should be subjected to dahana karma using a reed or

glass piece.
 Sira visravana:

After dahana karma the blood letting is performed at the bite site by pracchana

Pralepanam:

After blood letting application of paste of shirisha, Rajani, kusta, kunkuma and amruta over that

site.

Samshodana:

The purificatory procedures from vamana to nasya should be administered.

a)vamana karma:

छर्दनं जालिनीक्वाथैः शुकाख्याङ्कोठयोरपि ||

शुकाख्याकोषवत्योश्च मूलं मदन एव च |

दे वदालीफलं चैव दध्ना पीत्वा विषं वमेत ् |

सर्वमूषिकदष्टानामेष योगः सुखावहः ||

फलं वचा दे वदाली कुष्ठं गोभूत्रपेषितम ् |

पूर्वकल्पेन योज्याः स्युः सर्वोन्दरु
ु विषच्छिदः | - सु.क-७/३४-३६

Formulations for chardana are;

• jaalini kwatham.

• Decoction of shukanasa and ankota

• Intake of the root of sukanasa and koshavati and fruits of madana and devadali with curd.

This gives relief in all cases of rat bite.

Acc to vaghbhata;

• Similarly, madanaphala, vaca, jimuta and kustha pounded with cow's urine and administered with

curd. It will alleviates all kinds of undura visha.

b)Virechana:

विरे चने त्रिवद्द
ृ न्तीत्रिफलाकल्क इष्यते | - सु.क-७/३७

Virechana is administered with paste of trivruth danti/nili and triphala.

 c)Shirovirechana:

शिरोविरे चने सारः शिरीषस्य फलानि च || - स.ु क-७/३७

Nasya is administered with juice extracted from fruit of shirisha.

d) Anjana:

हितस्त्रिकटुकाढ्यश्च गोमयस्वरसोऽञ्जने | - सु.क-७/३८

Application of collyrium with paste made of trikatu and gomayarasa.

Samshamana yoga:

कपित्थगोमयरसौ लिह्यान्माक्षिकसंयुतौ || - सु.क-७/३८

Kapitha juice and juice of cow dung along with honey should be given.

रसाञ्जनहरिद्रे न्द्रयवकट्वीष ु वा कृतम ् |

प्रातः सातिविषं कल्कं लिह्यान्माक्षिकसंयुतम ् || - सु.क-७/३९

Paste of daruharidra, haridra kutaja and katuki should be taken with grita

Paste of ativisha with honey can also be administered.

तण्डुलीयकमल
ू ेषु सर्पिः सिद्धं पिबेन्नरः |

आस्फोतमल
ू सिद्धं वा पञ्चकापित्थमेव वा || - स.ु क-७/४०
The following gruta preparations can also be taken;

Grita processed with tanduliya mula

Grita prepared of aasphota moola

Pancakapitha(fruit, root, flower, bark and leaves) sidhha grita.

Aagaradhuma lepa:

आगारधूम मञ्जिष्ठा रजनी लवणोत्तमैः।

लेपो जयत्याखवि
ु षं कर्णिकायाश्च पातनः॥ - अ.हृ.उ-३८/१८-१९

Application of paste of agardhuma, manjishta,rajani and lavanottama destroys poison of mice and

makes the muscular growth to fall off.

 ततोऽम्लैः क्षालयित्वाऽनु तोयैरनु च लेपयेत ्॥

पालिन्दि श्वेतकटभी बिल्वमल

ू गुडूचिभिः।

अन्यैश्च विषशोफघ्नैः सिरा वा मोक्षयेत ् द्रत

ु म ्॥ - अ.हृ.उ-३८/१९-२०

Then it should be washed with any sour liquid and again with water.

Then it should be applied with sveta katabhi, root of bilva and guduchi or otherdrugs which has the

property to destroy poison and reduces swelling.

Then the vein should be cut to let out blood immediately.

Dooshivisha treatment in mooshika visha:

मषि
ू काणां विषं प्रायः कुप्यत्यभ्रेष्वनिर्हृतम ् |

तत्राप्येष विधिः कार्यो यश्च दष
ू ीविषापहः || - सु.क-७/४१

After sometimes the remnants of mooshika visha which stays in our body gets accumulated during

cold exposure.

In these case of prakopanam after shamanam, samshodhanas like vamana, virechana, nasya and

nayananjana should be performed.

Then dooshivisha line of treatment must be carried out(since it gets aggravates after sometimes

kalantara prakopanam, dooshi visha line of treatment is carried out).

Sinduvara kashayam:

सिन्दव
ु ार नतं शिग्रुबिल्वमूलं पुनर्नवा।

वचा श्वदं ष्ट्रा जीमत

ू मेषां क्वाथं समाक्षिकं॥

पिबेत ् शाल्योदनं दध्नाभुञ्जानो मषि

ू कार्दितः।

तक्रेन शरपुङ्खाया बीजं सन्चूर्ण्य वा पिबेत ्। - अ.हृ.क-३८/२७-२८

Kashaya prepared of sinduvara, nata, sigru, root of bilva, punarnava, vacha, shvadamștra and jimuta

added with honey.

 Then, take boiled shali rice along with dadhi(curd) or drink the sharapunga bija churna mixed with

takra

अङ्कोल्लमूलकल्को वा बस्तमूत्रण
े  कल्कितः|

पानालेपनयोर्युक्तः सर्वाखुविषनाशनः|| -अ.हृ.उ-३८/२९

Ankola mula kalka is processed with goat’s urine and it was administered as pana and lepa for

internally and externally respectively.

कपित्थमध्यतिलकतिलाङ्कोल्लजटाः पिबेत ्|

गवां मूत्रण
े , पयसा मञ्जरीं तिलकस्य वा|| - अ.हृ.उ-३८/३०

Drink the paste of the marrow of kapittha fruit,tilaka , tila and root of ankola along with

cow’s urine

Paste of tilakamanjari along with milk.

अथवा सैर्यकान्मूलं सक्षौद्रं तन्दल

ु ाम्बुना|

कटुकालाबवि
ु न्यस्तं पीतं वाऽम्बु निशोषितम ्|| - अ.हृ.उ-३८/३१

Paste of roots of saireyaka along with rice –washed water added with honey.

Drink the water put inside the shell of katukalabu fruit and kept overnight.

सिन्दव
ु ारस्य मूलानि बिडालास्थि विषं नतम ्|

जलपिष्टोऽगदो हन्ति नस्याद्यैराखज

ु ं विषम ्|| - अ.हृ.उ-३८/३२

Root of sinduvaara, bones of the cat, visa, and nata are made into a paste form by adding water

and administered as nasya.

 स्थिराणां रुजतां वाऽपि व्रणानां कर्णिकां भिषक् |

पाटयित्वा यथादोषं व्रणवच्चापि शोधयेत ् | | - सु.क-७/४२

Hard and painful vrana karnika (eruptions) are removed by excision . Then vrana shodhana regimen

is followed as per doshas.

Accordind to aacharya caraka:

त्वचं च नागरं चैव समांशं श्लक्ष्णपेषितम ्|

पेयमष्ु णाम्बन
ु ा सर्वं मषि
ू काणां विषापहम ्|| - च.चि-२३/२०५

Equal quantity of churna of twak and nagara is taken along with hot water will pacifies all kinds of

Mooshika visha.

Aakhuvishantaka rasa:

रसं गन्धं विषं चैव त्र्यूषणं टं करोहिणी।

पुनर्नवारसैर्मर्द्यं गोमूत्रे च द्विगुञ्जकम ्॥

पिबेदाखवि
ु षार्तानां सर्वं हरति तद्विषम ्।

विषदष्टोद्भवानन्यात ् आखवि
ु षान्तकः॥ - यो.र

Ingredients:

 Shuddha parada
 Shuddha gandhaka
 Shuddha vatsanabha
 Shunti
 Maricha
 Pippali
 Shuddha tankana
 Katuki

Bhavana dravya:

Punarnava swarasa
 Anupana:

Gomutra

Matra:

2 gunja(250mg)

Indications:

All kinds of aakhu visha.

Contemporary view

Rat bite fever:

Rat-bite fever is most commonly caused by rat bites but can be caused by the bite of any rodent

or of a carnivore that preys on rodents.

Rat-bite fever is a rare, potentially fatal condition.

It can affect those who’ve been bitten by rats infected with Streptobacillus or Spirillum bacteria.

Both the streptobacillary and spirillary forms affect mainly urban dwellers living in crowded

conditions and biomedical laboratory personnel.

Rat-bite fever is transmitted to humans in up to 10% of rat bites. However, there may be no history

rat bite.

Transmission:

There are several ways that people can get RBF:

Through bites or scratches from rodents carrying the bacteria. The bacteria can enter the body

directly through a bite wound, open skin, or mucous membranes such as in the eyes, nose, or mouth

When handling rodents carrying the bacteria or through contact with their saliva, urine, or droppings

Through contact with surfaces that are contaminated with the bacteria.

The bacteria can enter the body through open skin, such as cuts or scrapes, or mucous membranes

such as in the eyes, nose, or mouth

 Consuming food or drinks that have been contaminated with droppings or urine from a rodent

carrying the bacteria

RBF is not spread from one person to another.

Causes:

The typical causative organism varies by geographic region:

US and Europe: Streptobacillus moniliformis

Asia: spiral-shaped gram-negative rod Spirillum minus

Symptoms:

There are two types of rat-bite fever, each caused by different bacteria.

Streptobacillary rat bite fever;

Bites that cause streptobacillary RBF usually heal relatively fast.

However, in some cases, you may experience the following symptoms within 3 to 10 days

joint pain

fever and chills

muscle pain

headache
 skin rash

vomiting

diarrhea

spirillary rat bite fever;

A bite that causes spirillary RBF might look like it’s healing quickly.

However, the following symptoms can pop up within one to three weeks after the bite:

headache

fever and chills

muscle pain

sore throat and vomiting

swelling of lymph nodes

 ulcer at the wound

skin rash.

Complications:

complications of rat bite fever includes;

endocarditis

myocarditis

pericarditis

systemic vasculitis,

polyarteritis nodosa,

meningitis

hepatitis

nephritis

pneumonia

focal abscesses

Of these, endocarditis is the best described and carries the highest mortality rate.

Diagnosis:

For streptobacillary rat-bite fever, culture of a sample of blood or joint fluid

For spirillary rat-bite fever, examination of a sample of blood or infected tissue

To confirm the diagnosis of streptobacillary rat-bite fever, a sample of blood or joint fluid is taken and
send to a laboratory where bacteria, if present, can be grown (cultured) and analyzed..

To confirm the diagnosis of spirillary rat-bite fever, a sample of blood or tissue around the bite or from
an infected lymph node is taken. Spirillary bacteria can be identified when a sample is examined under
microscope. These bacteria cannot be cultured.

Prognosis of Rat-Bite Fever:

Without treatment, about 10% of people with rat-bite fever die.

Treatment of Rat-Bite Fever:

Antibiotics
Both types of rat-bite fever are treated with antibiotics, such as:

Amoxicillin

Penicillin

Erythromycin

Doxycycline.

If Streptobacillus moniliformis causes endocarditis, high doses of penicillin plus another antibiotic are
used.

Plague

Introduction:

Plague is a serious bacterial infection that's transmitted primarily by fleas.

The organism that causes plague, Yersinia pestis, lives in small rodents found most commonly in
rural and semirural areas of Africa, Asia and the United States.

The organism is transmitted to humans who are bitten by fleas that have fed on infected rodents or by
humans handling infected animals.

It was Known as the Black Death during medieval times, today plague occurs in fewer than 5,000
people a year worldwide.

It can be deadly if not treated promptly with antibiotics.

The most common form of plague results in swollen and tender lymph nodes — called buboes — in
the groin, armpits or neck.

The rarest and deadliest form of plague affects the lungs, and it can be spread from person to person.

Causes:

The plague bacteria, Yersinia pestis, is transmitted to humans through the bites of fleas that have
previously fed on infected animals, such as:

Rats

Mice

Squirrels

Rabbits
 The bacteria can also enter into the body if a broken skin comes into contact with an infected animal's
blood.

Domestic cats and dogs can become infected with plague from flea bites or from eating infected
rodents.

Pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, is spread by inhaling infectious droplets coughed into the
air by a sick animal or person.

Symptoms:

Plague is divided into three main types depending on which part of your body is involved.

Bubonic

Septicemic

pneumonic

Signs and symptoms vary depending on the type of plague.

Bubonic plague

Bubonic plague is the most common variety of the disease. It's named after the swollen lymph nodes
(buboes) that typically develop in the first week after you become infected. Buboes may be:

Situated in the groin, armpit or neck

About the size of a chicken egg

Tender and firm to the touch

Other bubonic plague signs and symptoms may include:

Sudden onset of fever and chills

Headache

Fatigue or malaise

Muscle aches

Septicemic plague

Septicemic plague occurs when plague bacteria multiply in your bloodstream. Signs and symptoms
include:

Fever and chills

 Extreme weakness

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Bleeding from your mouth, nose or rectum, or under your skin

Shock

Blackening and death of tissue (gangrene) in your extremities, most commonly your fingers, toes and
nose

Pneumonic plague

Pneumonic plague affects the lungs.

It's the least common variety of plague but the most dangerous, because it can be spread from person
to person via cough droplets. Signs and symptoms can begin within a few hours after infection, and may
include:

Cough, with bloody mucus (sputum)

Difficulty breathing

Nausea and vomiting

High fever

Headache

Weakness

Chest pain

Pneumonic plague progresses rapidly and may cause respiratory failure and shock within two days of
infection.

Pneumonic plague needs to be treated with antibiotics within a day after signs and symptoms first
appear, or the infection is likely to be fatal.

Diagnosis:

The Yersinia pestis bacteria in samples taken from the Buboes. If there is a swollen lymph nodes
(buboes), it is typical of bubonic plague. FNAC is done to aspirate the fluid from buboes.

Blood – the Yersinia pestis bacteria present in the bloodstream if there is septicemic plague.
 Lungs - To check for pneumonic plague, the mucus (sputum) or fluid from the airways is taken using a
thin, flexible tube inserted through the nose or mouth and down to throat (endoscopy).

Treatment:

Medications

Atibiotics such as:

Gentamicin

Doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others)

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

Levofloxacin

Moxifloxacin (Avelox)

Chloramphenicol

Leptospirosis

Introduction:

Leptospirosis is a major zoonotic disease worldwide, having significant impact on

both human and animal health.

The disease is caused by pathogenic spirochete bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

A wide variety of mammals can act as reservoirs of Leptospira, harboring pathogenic

Leptospira spp. in their renal tubules and then shedding them through urine, thus
contaminating the environment.

Transmission:

Humans and other animals may be exposed to Leptospira spp. by direct or indirect contact with
infected animals or through the contaminated environment such as soil or water.

Vertical transmission from mother to fetus or neonate through transplacental or transmammary

transmission, respectively, as well as through sexual transmission within species, may also occur.
 Wild rats (Rattus spp.), especially the Norway/brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat

(R. rattus), are abundant in urban and peridomestic environments and are the most important known

sources of Leptospira infection.

Rats are chronic asymptomatic carriers of Leptospira spp., maintaining the spirochetes in their
proximal renal tubules.

Symptoms:

In humans, Leptospirosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

High fever

Headache

Chills

Muscle aches

Vomiting

Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)

Red eyes

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea

Rash

Liver, kidney, and heart

If the kidneys, liver, or heart become infected by Leptospira bacteria, it causes following symptoms:

nausea

loss of appetite

weight loss

fatigue

swollen ankles, feet, or hands

painful swelling of your liver

decreased urination

shortness of breath
 rapid heartbeat

jaundice.

Brain

If the brain becomes infected, the symptoms may include:

high fever

nausea

vomiting

neck rigidity or pain

drowsiness

confused mental state

aggressive behavior

seizures

involuntary movements

inability to speak

aversion to lights

Lungs

If the lungs become infected, the symptoms may include:

high fever

shortness of breath

coughing up blood

Complications:

If left untreated, this may leads to;

kidney failure,

liver failure,

heart failure.

In rare cases, it may result in death.

Diagnosis:

The most common diagnostic methods used were;

Microscopic agglutination test (MAT),

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR),

Culture and isolation.

Sample of blood or urine is collected for laboratory investigations for Leptospira bacteria.

Imaging scans, such as chest X-rays, to check the liver and kidney function.

Treatment:

Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics such as;

doxycycline or penicillin, which should be given early in the course of the disease.

ibuprofen for fever and muscle pain.

Intravenous antibiotics may be required for persons with more severe symptoms.
Bibiliography:

Astanga hrudhayam of aacharya vagbhata with sarvanga sundari commentary

Sushruta Samhita of aacharya sushruta with nibandha samgraha commentary

Ayodhya prasad achal’s Agada tantra – text book of ayurveda toxicology

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1797630/

https://www.healthline.com/health/rat-bite-fever#outlook

https://www.cdc.gov/rat-bite-fever/transmission/index.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plague/symptoms-causes/syc-20351291

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6688788/

https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/symptoms/index.html