Epidemiological analysis of leptospirosis, dengue, and Co-infection rates among febrile illness cases in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis and dengue are two significant public health concerns in tropical and subtropical regions, often resulting in severe forms of disease and fatality. This study addresses the pressing public health issues of leptospirosis and dengue in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India. Both diseases pose significant health risks and are relatively understudied in this region, making it essential to investigate their prevalence and clinical presentations for targeted healthcare planning. AIM: The primary aim is to determine the frequency of leptospirosis and dengue among febrile illness cases to understand the epidemiological patterns and assess co-infection rates in Dakshina Kannada. METHOD: Between 2020 and 2021, serum samples suspected of leptospirosis were tested using IgM ELISA (n = 1629) and the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) (n = 92) for leptospirosis, while dengue was tested using NS1Ag and IgM antibodies ELISA (n = 1415). Data were collected through medical records and patient interviews. Seasonal trends, gender, and age distributions were analyzed. RESULT: The study found a significant prevalence of leptospirosis (21 %) and dengue (10 %) among febrile illness cases in the study area, with a 1.3 % co-infection rate. Clinically, fever was common to both diseases, but leptospirosis also frequently exhibited symptoms such as abdominal pain, myalgia, and jaundice. MAT screening revealed a predominance of anti-leptospiral antibodies against the Djasiman, Pyrogenes, Hurstbridge, Hebdomadis, and Grippotyphosa serogroups in Dakshina Kannada. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the urgent need for focused public health interventions, improved diagnostic tools, and targeted epidemiological studies to manage these diseases. The findings underscore the necessity of enhancing diagnostic capabilities and public health awareness, particularly considering the significant health risks posed by leptospirosis and dengue in the region.