Zoonoses — Rabies, Leptospirosis

A 28-year-old male farmer from rural Maharashtra presents with a 5-day history of high-grade fever, severe headache, myalgia, and vomiting. On examination, he is febrile (39.5°C), alert but restless, with mild neck stiffness. He reports wading through flooded rice fields 10 days ago. Laboratory findings show WBC 12,000/μL with left shift, platelet count 80,000/μL, and serum creatinine 2.1 mg/dL. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis reveals lymphocytic pleocytosis with normal glucose and protein. Blood culture is sterile. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Leptospirosis in humans is transmitted primarily through contact with which of the following?

A 32-year-old male from Himachal Pradesh presents to the emergency department with a 10-day history of progressive neurological symptoms: fever, irritability, hypersalivation, and difficulty swallowing. He reports being bitten by a stray dog 3 weeks ago on the forearm while playing with it. The bite wound was not washed immediately. On examination, he is febrile, anxious, with visible muscle fasciculations and hydrophobia (fear of water). His mental status is deteriorating. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

What is the characteristic feature of the Negri bodies seen in rabies encephalitis?

A 28-year-old male farmer from rural Maharashtra presents with a 5-day history of high fever, severe headache, myalgia, and vomiting. On examination, he is conscious but irritable, with a body temperature of 39.5°C. There is no neck stiffness. He recalls being bitten by a stray dog 3 weeks ago while working in the fields, but the wound was washed with soap and water only. On day 6 of illness, he develops hypersalivation, hydrophobia, and episodes of aggression alternating with periods of lucidity. What is the most likely diagnosis?