Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Leptospirosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital at Kolar

Abstract

Introduction: Leptospirosis is an acute treponemal infection with high mortality and morbidity. Due to varied presentations in different geographical areas and unexpected seasonal patterns, clinical diagnosis is difficult. The present study aims to analyze the varied clinical presentations and epidemiological factors in correlation with laboratory diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among the clinically suspected cases of leptospirosis at R. L. Jalappa Hospital, Kolar, from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 750 blood samples were tested for IgM ELISA leptospira test. All patient samples that tested positive for IgM antibodies were considered seropositive for Leptospira. The clinical history, laboratory parameters, management, course, and outcome of these patients were recorded. Results: The majority of the affected population were in the 41-60 year age group. Males were more affected than females. Due to unexpected rains, cases peaked in March. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 32 patients (34%), hyperbilirubinemia in 28 patients (30%), raised transaminases in 27 patients (29%), followed by low hemoglobin levels in 27 patients (28%). Severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) was the most common complication, seen in 24 patients (26%), followed by renal failure in 11 patients (12%). Conclusion: The morbidity and mortality due to leptospirosis can be reduced by better understanding environmental factors, by early detection through rapid tests, and predicting the severity of illness using laboratory parameters.

Keywords

• leptospira
• elisa
• thrombocytopenia
• rapid tests