Journal article
Leptospirosis Outbreak in Sri Lanka in 2008: Lessons for Assessing the Global Burden of Disease
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol.85(3), pp.471-478
2011
Abstract
Global leptospirosis disease burden estimates are hampered by the lack of scientifically sound data from countries with probable high endemicity and limited diagnostic capacities. We describe the seroepidemiologic and clinical characteristics of the leptospirosis outbreak in 2008 in Sri Lanka. Definitive/presumptive case definitions proposed by the World Health Organization Leptospirosis Epidemiology Reference Group were used for case confirmation. Of the 404 possible cases, 155 were confirmed to have leptospirosis. Highest titers of patient seum samples reacted with serovars Pyrogenes (28.7%), Hardjo (18.8%), Javanica (11.5%), and Hebdomadis (11.5%). Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA gene identified six infections: five with Leptospira interrogans and one with L. weilli. In this patient population, acute renal failure was the main complication (14.8%), followed by myocarditis (7.1%) and heart failure (3.9%). The case-fatality rate was 1.3%. This report strengthens the urgent need for increasing laboratory diagnostic capabilities to determine the causes of epidemic and endemic infectious diseases in Sri Lanka, a finding relevant to other tropical regions.
Details
- Title
- Leptospirosis Outbreak in Sri Lanka in 2008: Lessons for Assessing the Global Burden of Disease
- Authors
- S B Agampodi (Author) - Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri LankaS J Peacock (Author) - Mahidol University, ThailandV Thevanesam (Author) - University of Peradeniya, Sri LankaD B Nugegoda (Author) - Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri LankaLee D Smythe (Author) - Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on LeptospirosisJ Thaipadungpanit (Author) - Mahidol University, ThailandScott B Craig (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationM A Burns (Author) - Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on LeptospirosisM F Dohnt (Author) - Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on LeptospirosisS Boonsilp (Author) - Mahidol University, ThailandT Senaratne (Author) - University of Peradeniya, Sri LankaA Kumara (Author) - University of Peradeniya, Sri LankaP Palihawadana (Author) - Epidemiology Unit, Colombo, Sri LankaS Perera (Author) - Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri LankaJ M Vinetz (Author) - University of California, United States
- Publication details
- American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol.85(3), pp.471-478
- Publisher
- American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
- Date published
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.11-0276
- ISSN
- 0002-9637
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2011 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Reproduced here in accordance with the publisher's copyright policy.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449646102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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