A hospital-based study on seroprevalence of leptospirosis among febrile cases in northeastern Malaysia

• Published in: International Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Main Author: Rafizah A.A.N.; Aziah B.D.; Azwany Y.N.; Imran M.K.; Rusli A.M.; Nazri S.M.; Nikman A.M.; Nabilah I.; Asma' H.S.; Zahiruddin W.M.; Zaliha I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84877105772&doi=10.1016%2fj.ijid.2012.12.012&partnerID=40&md5=f6e7f176c2e97810e863131430b99df9

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among febrile inpatient cases in northeastern Malaysia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 999 febrile cases admitted to 10 hospitals in northeastern Malaysia. A survey using a proforma sheet was used to obtain sociodemographic and occupational information. Serum samples were screened for leptospirosis by IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (IgM ELISA) and confirmed by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Results: There was an equivalent distribution of males and females in the 999 respondents enrolled in the study. The majority were Malay (94.7%) and their mean age was 39.4 (standard deviation 17.6) years. The overall seroprevalence of leptospirosis was 8.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.8-10.3) (. n=. 84). The high-risk occupational group was found to have a higher seroprevalence, which was 56% (95% CI 45.3-66.1) (. n=. 47). The predominant serogroup was Sejroe (82.1%, 95% CI 72.6-88.8) (. n=. 69). Conclusions: This study revealed a possible high seroprevalence of leptospirosis among febrile cases, indicating the need to review the importance of adding leptospirosis to the case investigation of febrile illness, especially among high-risk occupational groups in Malaysia, as well as in other endemic countries. © 2013 International Society for Infectious Diseases.