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Risk factors and the prevalence of leptospirosis infection in a rural community of Chiapas, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2003

C. B. LEAL-CASTELLANOS ,
R. GARCÍA-SUÁREZ ,
E. GONZÁLEZ-FIGUEROA ,
J. L. FUENTES-ALLEN  and
J. ESCOBEDO-DE LA PEÑA
C. B. LEAL-CASTELLANOS
Affiliation:
Division of Epidemiology, Coordination of Public Health, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico
R. GARCÍA-SUÁREZ
Affiliation:
National Institute of Diagnosis and Epidemiologic Reference, Ministry of Health (Ssa), Mexico
E. GONZÁLEZ-FIGUEROA
Affiliation:
Division of Epidemiology, Coordination of Public Health, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico
J. L. FUENTES-ALLEN
Affiliation:
Infectious Disease Hospital, IMSS, Mexico
J. ESCOBEDO-DE LA PEÑA
Affiliation:
Division of Epidemiology, Coordination of Public Health, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico
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Abstract

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A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mapastepec, a rural community of the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico. The overall prevalence of leptospirosis infection in 1169 subjects was 37·7% [95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 34·9–40·5]. The main risk factors related to leptospirosis infection were flooding, mainly if subjects had a skin cut or abrasion [odds ratio (OR) 4·2; 95% CI 3·1–5·7], having domestic animals, either dogs and/or cats (OR 1·3; 95% CI 0·96–1·8) or cattle and/or pigs (OR 1·9; 95% CI 1·3–2·7), contact with animal excreta with no protection and with a skin cut or abrasion (OR 2·3; 95% CI 1·1–4·6). Those subjects with a dengue infection in the previous year had also an excess risk (OR 1·4; 95% CI 0·9–2·0). Mapastepec is a previously unknown area with high endemicity. Specific preventive measures should be adopted to prevent any contact with infected animals, and animal immunization should also be implemented. There is need of an epidemiological surveillance system to allow proper diagnosis.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 131 , Issue 3 , December 2003 , pp. 1149 - 1156
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press