Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis among High-Risk Individuals in Morocco

Azhari, M. El; Picardeau, Mathieu; Cherkaoui, Imad; Sadat, Mohamed Anouar; Moumni, Houda; Filali, Kamal Marhoum El; Ghazal, Hassan; Maaroufi, Abderrahmane; Hamdi, Salsabil; Mdaghri, N. El; Bourhy, P.

doi:10.1155/2020/5236045

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…We used as screening methods an ELISA against type IgM anti-Leptospira antibodies described by Kitashoji et al and following WHO guidelines [21,22]. Previous studies have suggested using this method for determining anti-Leptospira serum antibodies and for seroprevalence studies [23][24][25]. A set of serum of a hundred healthy control was used to validate the use of this protocol in DRC.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leptospirosis as a cause of fever associated with jaundice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

et al. 2021

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Background Fever with jaundice is a common symptom of some infectious diseases. In public health surveillance within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), yellow fever is the only recognized cause of fever with jaundice. However, only 5% of the surveillance cases are positive for yellow fever and thus indicate the involvement of other pathogens. Leptospira spp. are the causative agents of leptospirosis, a widespread bacterial zoonosis, a known cause of fever with jaundice. This study aimed to determine the seropositivity of anti-Leptospira antibodies among suspected yellow fever cases and map the geographical distribution of possible leptospirosis in the DRC. Methods We conducted a retrospective study using 1,300 samples from yellow fever surveillance in the DRC from January 2017 to December 2018. Serum samples were screened for the presence of IgM against Leptospira spp. by a whole cell-based IgM ELISA (Patoc-IgM ELISA) at the Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale in Kinshasa (INRB) according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidance. Exploratory univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken to assess associations between socio-demographic factors and the presence of Leptospira IgM. Results Of the 1,300 serum samples screened, 88 (7%) showed evidence of IgM against Leptospira spp. Most positive cases (34%) were young adult males in the 20–29-year group. There were statistically significant associations between having Leptospira IgM antibodies, age, sex, and living area. Observed positive cases were mostly located in urban settings, and the majority lived in the province of Kinshasa. There was a statistically significant association between seasonality and IgM Leptospira spp. positivity amongst those living in Kinshasa, where most of the positive cases occurred during the rainy season. Conclusions This study showed that leptospirosis is likely an overlooked cause of unexplained cases of fever with jaundice in the DRC and highlights the need to consider leptospirosis in the differential diagnosis of fever with jaundice, particularly in young adult males. Further studies are needed to identify animal reservoirs, associated risk factors, and the burden of human leptospirosis in the DRC.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leptospirosis as a cause of fever associated with jaundice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

et al. 2021

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“…They reported a probable recent leptospirosis seroprevalence of 1.9% associated with self-reported malaria within the past year 20 . Other studies reported varied leptospiral seroprevalence of 8.4% among febrile inpatients in North-Eastern Malaysia 21 , 24% among individuals in high-risk occupations in Morocco 22 , and 38.5% among miners in India 23 . Further, a study in Portugal revealed that 46% of the Sa˜o Miguel Island population has to circulate antileptospiral antibodies 24 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Higher risk activities in the study from Western Uganda included skinning cattle and living close to monkeys 20 . Whereas most of the seropositive high-risk individuals in the study from Morocco 22 were involved in poultry (37%), market fish (26%), and meat slaughterhouse workers (15%).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis in Suspected High-Risk Sudanese Patients; A Pilot Exploratory Study

Abdelrahim¹,

Mohammed²

2022

Trop. H. Med. Res.

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The extent of leptospirosis is unknown in Sudan, and it might be mistaken for other more common febrile infectious diseases. Leptospirosis might also be associated with renal diseases that are common in Sudan. We intended to explore the existence of human leptospirosis in suspected high-risk patients in Khartoum, Sudan, via sero-screening random febrile patients and those undergoing renal dialysis. This pilot exploratory study was conducted over six months, from April to September 2013. Four hospitals were selected conveniently following a non-random sampling approach. One hundred nineteen febrile patients (with or without definitive diagnosis) and patients under renal dialysis were included, and their serum specimens and clinical and demographic data were collected. Sera were screened qualitatively for the existence of anti-leptospiral IgM antibodies using a rapid lateral flow immune-sorbent assay. Ethical clearance and official permissions were obtained. Of the 119 patients, 57 (47.9%) had end-stage renal disease. They were under dialysis at Renal Dialysis Unit in Asbab Charity Hospital in Bahri, 47 (39.5%) were febrile with unknown origin attending the Tropical Medicine Hospital in Omdurman, and 15 (12.6%) were febrile and were diagnosed as having malaria or typhoid and attended Yastabshiron Medical Centre and Bashauer Teaching Hospital. The prevalence of anti-leptospiral IgM antibodies among all 119 screened patients was 7%. The prevalence among the 57 with the end-stage renal disease was 9%, and among the 47 with a fever of unknown origin was 6%. The prevalence among the 15 with a fever of known origin (diagnosed as malaria or typhoid) was 0%. Almost all positive patients had recurring episodes of fever, were in close contact with livestock, were farmers, and had an untreated natural source for drinking water. Human leptospirosis does exist in this targeted population. It is probably a common febrile condition and can be easily considered one of the major causes of chronic kidney disease affecting people in Sudan. A national sero-screening for leptospirosis among those living in high-risk geographical areas and those at occupational risk is highly recommended.

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“…They further reported a probable recent leptospirosis seroprevalence of 1.9% that was associated with having self-reported malaria within the past year [22]. Other studies reported varied leptospiral seroprevalence of 8.4% among febrile inpatients in North-Eastern Malaysia [23], 24% among individuals at high-risk occupations in Morocco [24] and 38.5% among miners in India [25]. Further, a study in Portugal revealed 46% of Sa˜o Miguel Island population has circulating anti-leptospiral antibodies [26].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Considering the fact that people living in these areas rely on the mentioned natural water sources without prior treatment suggest another possible risk for acquiring the infection. Higher risk activities in the study from Western Uganda included skinning cattle and living in close proximity to monkeys [22] whereas most of the seropositive high-risk individuals in the study from Morocco [24] were involved in poultry (37%), market sh (26%) and meat slaughterhouse workers (15%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis in Suspected High Risk Sudanese Patients; A Pilot Exploratory Study

Mohammed

Abdelrahim

2022

Preprint

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BackgroundThe extent of leptospirosis is unknown in Sudan and it might be mistaken for other more common febrile infectious diseases. Leptospirosis might also be associated with renal diseases that are common in Sudan. We intended to explore the existence of human leptospirosis in suspected high risk patients in Khartoum, Sudan, via sero-screening random febrile patients and those undergoing renal dialysis.MethodsThis is a pilot exploratory study that was conducted in 6 months period from April to September of 2013. Hospitals were selected conveniently following a non-random sampling approach. A total of 119 febrile patients (with or without definitive diagnosis) and patients under renal dialysis were included and their serum specimens, clinical and demographic data were collected. Sera were screened qualitatively for the existence of anti-leptospiral IgM antibodies using rapid lateral flow immunosorbent assay. Ethical clearance and official permissions were obtained.ResultsOut of the total 119 patients, 57 (47.9%) had end stage renal disease and were under dialysis at Renal Dialysis Unit in Asbab Charity Hospital in Bahri, 47 (39.5%), were febrile with unknown origin attending the Tropical Medicine Hospital in Omdurman, and 15 (12.6%) were febrile and were diagnosed as having malaria or typhoid and attended Yastabshiron Medical Centre and Bashauer Teaching Hospital. The overall prevalence of anti-leptospiral IgM antibodies among all 119 screened patients was 7%. The prevalence among the 57 with end stage renal disease was 9%, and among the 47 with fever of unknown origin was 6%. The prevalence among the 15 with fever of known origin (diagnosed as malaria or typhoid) was 0%. Almost all positive patients had recurring episodes of fever, are in close contact with livestock, were farmers and have natural untreated source for drinking water.ConclusionLeptospirosis is probably a common febrile condition and can be easily considered as one of the major causes of chronic kidney disease affecting people in this country. A national sero-screening for leptospirosis among those living in high risk geographical areas and those at occupational risk is highly recommended.

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Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis among High-Risk Individuals in Morocco

Cited by 10 publications

References 29 publications

Leptospirosis as a cause of fever associated with jaundice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Leptospirosis as a cause of fever associated with jaundice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis in Suspected High-Risk Sudanese Patients; A Pilot Exploratory Study

Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis in Suspected High Risk Sudanese Patients; A Pilot Exploratory Study

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