Leptospirosis

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic infection with a much greater incidence in tropical regions and has now been identified as one of the emerging infectious diseases. The epidemiology of leptospirosis has been modified by changes in animal husbandry, climate, and human behavior. Resurgent interest in leptospirosis has resulted from large outbreaks that have received significant publicity. The development of simpler, rapid assays for diagnosis has been based largely on the recognition that early initiation of antibiotic therapy is important in acute disease but also on the need for assays which can be used more widely. In this review, the complex taxonomy of leptospires, previously based on serology and recently modified by a genotypic classification, is discussed, and the clinical and epidemiological value of molecular diagnosis and typing is also evaluated

HLA-DQ6 and ingestion of contaminated water: possible gene–environment interaction in an outbreak of Leptospirosis

“…Most study subjects were homozygous TNF1 or heterozygous at this site; two individuals were TNF2 homozygous (Datasheets A and D, see Supplementary Information). In all, 13 HLA-DR genotypes 1,3,4,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] were identified within this cohort; the HLA-DR genotype was unambiguous for all 85 specimens. Bivariate analysis of laboratory-confirmed cases showed no TNF-a polymorphism or HLA-DR genotype significantly associated with case-status (Data-sheets A and D, see Supplementary Information).…”

“…For this study, a clinical case was defined as a Springfield Ironhorse triathlon participant symptomatic between 21 June and 31 July 1998 with 42 of the following: headache, chills, myalgias, diarrhea, red eyes or eye pain. Triathlon participants with positive microscopic agglutination test (MAT) 1 and positive IgM antileptospiral enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA; PanBio Inc., Brisbane, Australia) were defined as having laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis. Negative serology was defined as having negative MAT and ELISA.…”

“…[1][2][3] The disease commonly presents with nonspecific symptoms including fever, headache, muscle-aches and conjunctivitis. However, symptoms can vary widely; while some studies suggest a high prevalence of subclinical infection, [4][5][6][7] 5-10% of symptomatic disease involves severe complications including liver or kidney dysfunction, pulmonary hemorrhage or cardiovascular collapse.…”

Seroprevalence of hantaviruses andLeptospirain muskrat and coypu trappers in the Netherlands, 2016

“…One explanation of the low seroprevalence in relation to the high level of positive rats could be the use of personal protective equipment, especially the gloves and the waders. In addition, the seroprevalence represents recent rather than lifelong exposure, since antibody titres to leptospires do not remain detectable lifelong, but may vary from months to years [6,18]. …”

“…Ocular problems, renal and liver impairment, and haemorrhage can be seen in severe cases. Leptospirosis also manifests mostly subclinically or as a mild, self-limited illness [6,7]. Most common symptoms are fever, (severe) headache, muscle pain, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms.…”