A 3-year retrospective analysis on the prevalence of antileptospiral antibodies among children in Chennai City, India.

PURPOSE: Leptospirosis is a re-emerging infectious disease that has been reported from all over the world, including South India. Several studies have documented the prevalence of Leptospira in the general population. However, the data on leptospirosis in children were limited. We evaluated the prevalence of antileptospiral antibodies and the distribution of Leptospira serovars in children and adolescents.

METHODOLOGY: In this retrospective study, details for a total of 5407 children who presented with fever and whose test results for antileptospiral antibodies available were recorded. A microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed to detect the presence of anti-leptospiral antibodies and a titre of more than 1 : 80 was considered positive. The antigen panel included the following six serovars: Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Autumnalis, Australis, Grippotyphosa and Patoc. Demographics such as age and gender were recorded.

RESULTS

An overall seropositivity rate of 30.8 % (95 % CI: 21.54-25.81) was observed. More male children (59 %) were infected than female children (41 %). Leptospirosis occurs throughout the year among children. Cases peak in the summer time and during the months of November and December. The most prevalent serovar in this study was L. Canicola followed by L. Australis and L. Autumnalis.

CONCLUSION

This seroprevalence study suggested that leptospirosis occurs among children throughout the year in Chennai, India. This makes it almost mandatory to include it in the differential diagnosis for febrile illnesses in children. Early detection and treatment, together with control measures, may significantly reduce the spread of this endemic pathogen in this city.