Haemoglobin and red cell counts in leptospirosis patients infected with different serovars.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to compare haemoglobin and red cell counts between patients known to be infected with a range of leptospiral serovars.

METHODS

The study retrospectively compared the haemoglobin and red cell count results from the first blood samples taken from 207 patients at presentation to a Queensland Health hospital.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed in haemoglobin and red cell counts in those infected with Leptospira interrogans serovars Szwajizak and Canicola when compared with most of the other serovars.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that haemoglobin and red cell counts may be useful in differentiating leptospiral serovars in leptospirosis patients.