Leptospira

Photomicrograph of kidney tissue, using a silver staining technique, revealing the presence of Leptospira bacteria, 1964. Humans become infected by swallowing water contaminated by infected animals or through skin contact, especially with mucosal surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with broken skin. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person. Image courtesy CDC/Dr. Martin Hicklin. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images).