Clinical and Para clinical findings of leptospirosis in Mazandaran, June-September 2004

Background and Leptospirosis is an uncommon widespread spirochetal zoonoses caused by the members of the genus leptospira. Human disease is acquired by coming into contact with urine or tissues of infected animals, or through contaminated water and soil, thus is an occupational disease particularly in farmers, slaughterhouse workers and fishermen. The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical and Paraclinical findings of leptospirosis cases in Mazandaran. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, patients with high suspicion to leptospirosis presenting to Imam Khomeini and Razi hospitals of Sari and Qaemshahr from June to September 2004 with positive serology finding (MAT) were enrolled. Demographic, clinical and Paraclinical data for each patient were recorded. From 63 patients suspicious for leptospirosis, 36 had positive serologic test. The mean age of the positive patients (25 male, 11 female) was 34.2 ± 13.77 (range 14-64 years old). Most cases (86.1%) were farmers and 83.4% villagers. 55.6% of the patients presented in July. Fever and chills were the main complaints in 42.9% of the cases and fever, weakness, headache, anorexia and mialgia were seen in 96.6%, 96.6%, 93.1%, 89.7% and 85% respectively. Thrombocytopenia and leucopenia were noticed in 45.7% and 33.4% of the patients respectively. AST & ALT in 51.7% & 55.2% of patients were above the normal upper limit. Weil's syndrome and ileus occurred in 7 (19.5%) and one (2.8%) cases respectively. The classic history of fever, weakness, headache, anorexia and mialgia in villagers and farmers in warm months should raise the possibility of leptospirosis.