Leptospirosis in Northern India: a Clinical and Serological Study

A total of 400 serum samples collected from patients, clinically suspected of leptospirosis, were evaluated for antibodies by LEPTO dipstick and microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Twenty of these patients (5%) had serological evidence of leptospirosis. Leptospira interrogans serovars Autumnalis and Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola and Javanica were serogroups recorded serologically. Fever and jaundice were the most common clinical presentations. Male preponderance was seen in the leptospirosis cases. Outdoor activities, agricultural activities, contact with animals were significantly associated with seropositivity for Leptospira. This study highlights that leptospirosis is a significant health problem in northern India, though grossly under reported due to the absence of routine laboratory diagnostic facilities for this disease.