Figure 5.

Schematic representation of jaundice caused by pathogenic Leptospira. In the normal state, a tight junction seals bile canaliculi and prevents leakage of bile to bloodstream (left). Once pathogenic leptospires reach the liver sinusoids, they have the property to attach to and invade intercellular junctions of hepatocytes and this invasion contributes to disrupt the junction (middle). When the tight junction is disrupted, bile leaks from bile canaliculi and this result in jaundice (right).