Human leptospirosis infective serogroups and serotypes in Jamaica

Of a total of 5,021 samples of sera tested in Jamaica between 1960-1978, 651 (12.9%) were positive in significant to microscopic agglutination for leptospirosis. There were 50 (5.9%) positive isolates of 845 cultures. Six serogroups and 13 serotypes of pathogenic leptospiral strains were identified. The serogroup icterohaemorrhagiae serovar icterohaemorrhagiae accounted for 57% of infections and the serogroup hebdomadis, serovar jules accounting for 31% of cases. Human leptospirosis is grossly under-reported in Jamaica and only systematic surveys and surveillance can define the true incidence of the public health problem of this disease.