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An urban outbreak of leptospirosis in Mumbai, India
Renu Bharadwaj1, Abhijit M Bal, Suvarna A Joshi
1Department of Microbiology, Byramjee Jeejeehoy Medical College, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract:
An outbreak of leptospirosis occurred during the rainy season in the city of Mumbai, India. Out of 169 suspected cases, 74 (43.7%) were determined serologically positive by microagglutination test (MAT) carried out with a battery of eight pathogenic serovars, while 78 (46.1%) were shown positive for IgM antibodies to leptospira by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. On the basis of MAT, serovar Copenhageni accounted for 66 (89.1%) out of the 74 cases admitted during the period of the outbreak. Myalgia, conjunctival suffusion, cough with hemoptysis, icterus, and oliguria were significantly more common in patients whose samples were determined positive by MAT. The presence of pulmonary signs and symptoms and renal failure were significantly associated with mortality in patients presumed to be suffering from leptospirosis.
Insights
An outbreak of leptospirosis in Mumbai during the rainy season showed serovar Copenhageni as the primary cause. Pulmonary and renal complications were linked to higher mortality rates in affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease with a global distribution.
- Outbreaks are often associated with environmental factors such as heavy rainfall and flooding.
- Mumbai, a densely populated urban area, is susceptible to infectious disease outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an outbreak of leptospirosis in Mumbai.
- To identify the causative serovar and risk factors associated with severe disease and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Serological testing using microagglutination test (MAT) and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Analysis of clinical data, including symptoms and outcomes.
- Identification of prevalent Leptospira serovars.
Main Results:
- Out of 169 suspected cases, 74 (43.7%) were MAT-positive and 78 (46.1%) were IgM-positive.
- Leptospira serovar Copenhageni was identified in 89.1% of MAT-positive cases.
- Myalgia, cough with hemoptysis, icterus, and oliguria were common in confirmed cases.
- Pulmonary signs and renal failure were significantly associated with mortality.
Conclusions:
- Leptospirosis, particularly serovar Copenhageni, caused a significant outbreak in Mumbai.
- Clinical manifestations like pulmonary symptoms and renal failure are critical indicators of poor prognosis.
- Public health interventions are crucial to control leptospirosis transmission in urban settings.