Recent investigations of leptospirosis in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

The epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory features in Jamaica of a series of 50 cases of leptospirosis collected at the diagnostic laboratory of the Department of Microbiology - U.W.I. are reviewed. Infections occurred in most of the parishes of the island and were associated with a wide range of occupations. Forty-six (46) of these patients were hospitalized at the University Hospital W.I. and a total of 9 isolates were made. Three of the patients (all with positive cultures) were from the Monymusk Sugar Estates and one was hospitalized elsewhere. The serotypes identified from these isolates were Icterohaemorrhagiae, Jules, Kremastos and Abramis. The age distribution ranged from 10 to 70 years of age there were 35 males and 15 females. Each serotype seemed capable of producing a wide variety of clinical features. The serotypes most commonly diagnosed in the laboratory by the microscopic and macroscopic tests were Leptospira Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Jules Pomona and Abramis. The highest titre observed wa 13200 in the serotype L. Icterohaemorrhagiae. Experience gained and continued work in the field of Leptospirosis over the past few years indicate that the Leptospires are a more common infection of man and animal that was formerly realized(AU)