# Challenging trends in clinical-epidemiology and sero-prevalence of leptospirosis among febrile patients

## TL;DR

This study estimates the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among febrile patients in India and highlights the need for better diagnosis.

## Contribution

The study provides new seroprevalence data for leptospirosis in a specific Indian hospital setting.

## Key findings

- 15.47% of 252 febrile patients tested positive for leptospirosis IgM antibody.
- Males and those aged 21-40 were more likely to test positive.
- Common symptoms included fever, myalgia, and headache.

## Abstract

Leptospirosis is the most prevalent zoonotic illness that affects both humans and animals worldwide. It is typically underreported
due to a lack of knowledge, unusual manifestations and a lack of diagnostic resources. Therefore, it is of interest to estimate the
seroprevalence of Leptospirosis from an acute febrile illness patient at a tertiary care hospital in India. Hence, a total of 252 blood
samples were collected out of which 39 (15.47%) were positive for leptospirosis IgM antibody. Male patient (56.75%) shows preponderance
over females. Further patients among the age group groups 21-40 (56.41%) showed the positivity. A clinical presentation such as Fever
(100%), Myalgia (51.5%) and Headache (36.98%) was the most common symptoms seen followed by vomiting and abdominal pain. Leptospirosis
screening must therefore be introduced as differential diagnosis in individuals with acute fever in addition to other routine testing in
order to lower the morbidity and mortality.