Leptospirosis among patients with pyrexia of unknown origin in a hospital in Guwahati, Assam.

ABSTRACT

Leptospirosis is one of the important zoonoses of man and animals. In recent years, it has increasingly been reported from different parts of the world including India. Sera from 536 individuals with pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) belonging to different age group, sex and occupation and having varying levels of exposure to animals, forest and flood were examined for the presence of antibodies to pathogenic Leptospira by commercially available kit. Overall 22.57% individuals with PUO were found to be positive for leptospirosis with 27.93% among male and 11.79% among female patients. This difference among..genders was statistically significant. The seropositivity was higher among patients in the age groups of 21-30 years followed by 31-40 and 41-50 years. Seropositivity was higher among individuals having contact with animals, working in forest and flood affected areas.