Leptospires in wildlife from Trinidad and Grenada.

Serum samples from 894 wild animals (representing 31 species) from Trinidad and Grenada were examined by the microscopic agglutination test for leptospiral antibodies; 198 were positive. These included 39 bats, 88 mongooses, six opossums, 10 peridomestic rodents, 15 forest rodents, 10 lizards, and 30 toads. Thirteen pathogenic serogroups were involved. Thirty-nine Leptospira isolates were reported from mongooses, opossums, rodents and toads.

Leptospires in wildlife from Trinidad and Grenada

Serum samples from 894 wild animals (representing 31 species) from Trinidad and Grenada were examined by the microscopic agglutination test for leptospiral antibodies; 198 were positive. These included 39 bats, 88 mongooses, six opossums, 10 peridomestic rodents, 15 forest rodents, 10 lizards and 30 toads. Thirteen pathogenic serogroups were involved. Thirty-nine Leptospira isolates were reported from mongooses, opssums, rodents and toads. (AU)

A survey of leptospirosis in febrile patients mainly from hospitals and clinics in Trinidad.

Acute and convalescent sera were obtained from 202 febrile patients, most of whom were admitted to or attended hospitals or clinics in northern Trinidad during the 12 months from mid-February 1977 to mid-February 1978. Laboratory tests confirmed that 10 of the patients were suffering from current leptospirosis while another 54 had serological evidence of previous leptospiral infections. Antibodies to strains of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup were most commonly found, followed by those to the Hebdomadis and Autumnalis serogroups. Isolates were obtained from the blood of two and the urine of three of the 10 current cases. Four of these strains were identified as belonging to copenhageni serovar of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup and one to serovar brasiliensis of the Bataviae serogroup. Seven of the patients suffering from leptospirosis were males, all rural dwellers, and all except one under 20 years of age. Two of the three female patients were over 60 years old and were urban dwellers. It was not possible to identify the sources of infection with certainty, although dogs may have been responsible for three of the Icterohaemorrhagiae and one of the Canicola infections. Of the 192 patients who were not currently infected, serological evidence of previous infection was obtained in 31 (40%) males and 23 (21%) females and was most common among farmers and rural workers.

A survey of leptospirosis in febrile patients mainly from hospitals and clinics in Trinidad

Acute and convalescent sera were obtained from 202 febrile patients, most of whom were admitted to or attended hospitals or clinics in northern Trinidad during the 12 months from mid-February 1977 to mid February 1978. Laboratory tests confirmed that 10 of the patients were suffering from current leptospirosis while another 54 had serological evidence of previous leptospiral infections. Antibodies to strains of the Icterohaemorrhagic serogroup were the most commonly found, followed by those to the Hebdomadis and Autumnalis serogroups. Isolates were obtained from the blood of two and the urine of three of the current cases. Four of thoses strains were identified as belonging to copenhageni serovar of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup and one to the Bataviae serogroup. Seven of the patients suffering from leptospirosis were male, all rural dwellers, and all except one under 20 years of age. Two of the three female patients were over 60 years old and were urban dwellers. It was not possible to identify the sources of infection with certainty, although dogs may have been responsible for three of the Icterohaemorrhagiae and one of the Canicola infections. Of the 192 patients who were not currently infected, serological evidence of previous infection was obtained in 31 (40 percent) males and 23 (21 percent) females and was most common among farmers and rural workers. (Summary)

Pathogenic leptospira isolates from the Caribbean Islands of Trinidad, Grenada and St. Vincent.

All known isolates of Leptospira interrogans obtained in Trinidad, Grenada and St. Vincent up to the end of 1979 are listed. There were 80 from Trinidad, 20 from Grenada and 2 from St. Vincent, representing at least 20 serotypes from 11 or more serogroups. Six of the serotypes were first reported from Trinidad. The leptospires were isolated from man, domestic animals and wildlife species.

Pathogenic leptospira isolates from the Caribbean Islands of Trinidad, Grenada and St. Vincent

All known isolates of Leptospira interrogans obtained in Trinidad, Grenada and St. Vincent up to the end of 1979 are listed. There were 80 from Trinidad, 20 from Grenada and 2 from St. Vincent, representing at least 20 serotypes from 11 or more serogroups. Six of the serotypes were first reported from Trinidad. The leptospires were isolated from man, domestic animals and wildlife species.(AU)

Leptospirosis in patients from Grenada, West Indies.

Evidence of leptospirosis in humans from Grenada, W.I., is reported here for the first time. Of 139 hospital patients with pyrexia of undetermined origin, 94 were jaundiced, and 16 (17%) of these were positive for hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) and not examined further. 20 of the remaining 123 (16%) febrile patients were positive for leptospiral antibodies; 11 of them were current or recent cases. 25 of 182 (14%) afebrile out-patients showed evidence of previous exposure to leptospiral organisms. The most frequently encountered serogroups in the 45 seropositive in- and out-patients were Icterohaemorrhagiae (38%), Panama (24%) and Canicola (11%).

Leptospirosis in patients from Grenada, West Indies

Evidence of leptospirosis in humans from Grenada, W.I., is reported here for the first time. Of 139 hospital patients with pyrexia of undetermined origin, 94 were jaundiced, and 16 (17 percent) of these were positive for hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) and not examined further. 20 of the remaining 123 (16 percent) febrile patients were positive for leptospiral antibodies; 11 of them were current or recent cases. 25 of 182 (14 percent) afebrile out-patients showed evidence of previous exposure to leptospiral organisms. The most frequently encountered serogroups in the 45 seropositive in- and out- patients were Icterohaemorrhagiae (38 percent) Panama (24 percent) and Canicola (11 percent) (Summary)