Towards the Burden of Human Leptospirosis: Duration of Acute Illness and Occurrence of Post-Leptospirosis Symptoms of Patients in The Netherlands

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076549
• Publication Date: 2013-10-03T20:56:52Z
• Authors: Marga G. A. Goris; Vanessa Kikken; Masja Straetemans; Sandra Alba; Marco Goeijenbier; Eric C. M. van Gorp; Kimberly R. Boer; Jiri F. P. Wagenaar; Rudy A. Hartskeerl
• Keywords: Adult; Male; 0301 basic medicine; Science; EMC MM-04-27-01; 03 medical and health sciences; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Leptospirosis; Netherlands; Retrospective Studies; Leptospira; Q; R; Middle Aged; Bacterial Typing Techniques; 3. Good health; Hospitalization; Intensive Care Units; Acute Disease; Medicine; Female; Research Article

BackgroundLeptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease. Although important for the assessment of burden leptospirosis, data on duration illness and occurrence post-leptospirosis complaints are not well documented. Hence main objective this study was to estimate persistent hospital stay in laboratory confirmed leptospirosis patients Netherlands during 1985 2010. Additionally, several risk factors potentially impacting were investigated. Methods/Principal FindingsThe acute phase 16 days (IQR 12–23); 10 7–16) spent hospitalized. Eighteen fatal cases excluded from analysis. Complaints by passive case investigations (CPC) derived files ambulant consultations occurring one month after discharge, revealed 108 236 (45.8%) cases. Data (PCAC), assessed 225 collected through questionnaires 1985-1993, indicated 68 (30.2%) PCAC Frequently reported included (extreme) fatigue, myalgia, malaise, headache, weak physical condition. These prolonged 21.1% beyond 24 months onset There no association between hospitalization. However, individuals admitted at intensive care unit (ICU) twice as likely have continuing discharge adjusting age dialysis (OR 2.0 95% CI 0.8-4.8). No significant could be found prolongation infecting serogroup, although subgroup analysis suggest that infection with serogroups Sejroe 4.8, 95%CI 0.9-27.0) icterohaemorrhagiae 2.0, 0.9-4.3 CI) more result CPC than infections serogroup Grippotyphosa. Conclusion/SignificanceIn addition disease, an impact leptospirosis.