Leptospirosis in children: A review for family physicians

Tullu, Milind S.; Karande, Sunil

doi:10.4103/0019-5359.55893

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Similar to our findings, studies have reported more frequent acute renal injury ( 40 ) and higher fatality rate in adults than in children ( 38 , 40 ). Pediatric leptospirosis is relatively less described in the literature and mild illness is common ( 41 , 42 ). More research is needed to fully understand distinct clinical patterns that can help with early detection of outbreaks in children and diagnosis and treatment.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic literature review of leptospirosis outbreaks worldwide, 1970–2012

Muñoz-Zanzi

Groene

Morawski

et al. 2020

Revista Panamericana De Salud Pública

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Objective. This review describes the geographic and temporal distribution of, detection methods for, and other epidemiological features of published leptospirosis outbreaks, with the aim of informing efforts to standardize outbreak-reporting practices. Methods. We conducted a systematic review of leptospirosis outbreaks reported in the scientific literature and ProMED during 1970–2012. Predefined criteria were used to identify and classify outbreaks and a standard form was used to extract information. Results. During 1970–2012, we identified 318 outbreaks (average: 7 outbreaks/year; range: 1–19). Most outbreaks were reported in the Latin America and the Caribbean region (36%), followed by Southern Asia (13%), and North America (11%). Most outbreaks were located in tropical and subtropical ecoregions (55%). Quality classification showed that there was clear description of laboratory-confirmed cases in 40% of outbreaks. Among those, the average outbreak size was 82 cases overall (range: 2–2 259) but reached 253 cases in tropical/subtropical ecoregions. Common risk factors included outdoor work activities (25%), exposure to floodwaters (23%), and recreational exposure to water (22%). Epidemiologic investigation was conducted in 80% of outbreaks, mainly as case interviews. Case fatality was 5% overall (range: 0%–60%). Conclusions. Outbreak reporting increased over the study period with outbreaks covering tropical and non-tropical regions. Outbreaks varied by size, setting, and risk factors; however, data reviewed often had limited information regarding diagnosis and epidemiology. Guidelines are recommended to develop standardized procedures for diagnostic and epidemiological investigations during an outbreak and for reporting.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic literature review of leptospirosis outbreaks worldwide, 1970–2012

Muñoz-Zanzi

Groene

Morawski

et al. 2020

Revista Panamericana De Salud Pública

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“…Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease with global distribution that is caused by infection of spirochetes from the genus Leptospira . Although leptospirosis usually presents as mild, self-limiting symptoms, severe cases with high mortality and morbidity might occur [ 1 ]. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to improve clinical outcomes [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood leptospirosis in an industrialized country: Population-based study in Okinawa, Japan

Tomari¹,

Toyokawa²,

Takahashi

et al. 2018

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Leptospirosis is considered underdiagnosed because of its nonspecific presentation and lack of proper understanding of its epidemiology. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. However, few data are available on confirmed leptospirosis cases in children in industrialized countries. We therefore aimed to describe epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of laboratory-confirmed childhood leptospirosis in Okinawa, Japan. We reviewed the national surveillance data of pediatric leptospirosis in Okinawa, Japan from January 2003 through December 2015. The database included all of laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis diagnosed at the only central laboratory for leptospirosis in the region. There were 44 children (0–20 years of age) with laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis. Of these, 90% were male, 91% were 10–20 years of age, and 96% of cases occurred in August and September. The number of laboratory-confirmed patients ranged from 0 to 11 per year (mean: 3.3 per year), and the estimated annual rate was 1.0 per 100,000 pediatric populations. In all cases, the presumed infection route was recreational exposure to river water. Commonly observed manifestations include fever (95%), myalgia (52%), and conjunctival suffusion (52%). Childhood leptospirosis in Okinawa, Japan occurred predominantly in teenage boys after freshwater exposure in summer, and most patients had characteristic conjunctival suffusion. Cohort studies would be helpful to better understand more detailed clinical manifestations in association with prognosis.

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“…La puerta de ingreso al ser humano, quien se comporta como un hospedero susceptible, se da generalmente por heridas o abrasiones en la piel o membranas mucosas como la conjuntiva, superficie oral y genital 12 . La vía de adquisición puede darse de manera directa mediante el contacto con el animal o sus secreciones, o por vía indirecta por medio del contacto con aceite o agua contaminada con las secreciones animales.…”

Section: Zoonosisunclassified