The prevalence of severe leptospirosis among humans on Barbados.

Leptospirosis was confirmed by the Leptospira Laboratory in 138 hospital patients on Barbados between early November 1979 and the end of 1982 (annual average 43.6 cases). These were the great majority of severe cases occurring on the island during that time. The crude incidence rate ranged between 15 and 23 per 100,000 population per year (average 17.6). 26 of the patients died (15 males, 11 females), giving an over-all case fatality rate of 18.8%, and an average of 8.2 deaths per year. 68% of all cases were in males. The highest percentages of cases were in males aged 20 to 24 and females aged 55 to 59, but the incidence of the disease in both sexes increased with age up to 60 years. Previous figures recorded on the island by the Ministry of Health for 1975-79 were considerably lower, with a mean of 23.6 cases per year and a crude annual incidence of 9.5 per 100,000. 15 of the patients died (13 males, 2 females), giving an over-all case fatality rate of 12.7% and an average of 3 deaths per year. 74% of all cases were in males. The highest percentages of cases were in the 20 to 29 and 50 to 59 year age groups for males and females, respectively, i.e., similar to those in the present series. In both sexes the incidence of leptospirosis increased with age up to 60 years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Histoplasmosis in the eastern Caribbean: a preliminary survey of the incidence of the infection.

A preliminary survey of the incidence of histoplasmosis in the eastern Caribbean was carried out. The percentages of positive histoplasmin skin test reactors in the populations studied were as follows: Barbados (4%), Trinidad (42%) and Guyana (29%). In Trinidad 69% of individuals under 60 had positive test. However a lower proportion (4%) had serological evidence of past infection with Histoplasma capsulatum. The organism was not isolated from the soil although it had been found previously in Trinidad. On this island five previously diagnosed cases of histoplasmosis were identified. The study confirmed the presence of the infection in the area and further investigations are suggested.

The problem of human leptospirosis in Barbados.

The results of a retrospective study of human leptospirosis cases occurring in Barbados during the period 19-68-74, and of serological findings among high risk occupational groups, fever cases and health centre patients monitored for the disease during 1975-77, indicate that infection by serotype fort-bragg of the Autumnalis group is widespread in this Caribbean island. The occupational groups most affected are sanitation workers and sugar-cane workers. Results of serological tests conducted at the principle hospital are comparable with the results obtained by the microscopic agglutination reference test procedure conducted at the Pan American Zoonosis Centre (CEPANZO).