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. 2023 Feb 13:13:1079946.
doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1079946. eCollection 2023.

Trends in human leptospirosis in Denmark, 2012-2021

Caroline Eves  1 , Charlotte Kjelsø  1 , Guido Benedetti  1 , Charlotte Sværke Jørgensen  2 , Karen Angeliki Krogfelt  2   3
Affiliations

Trends in human leptospirosis in Denmark, 2012-2021

Caroline Eves et al. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. .

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial infection that can cause influenza-like symptoms and severe disease. In Denmark, leptospirosis is rare, non-endemic, and most commonly transferred to humans from mice and rats. Cases of human leptospirosis in Denmark are by law notifiable to Statens Serum Institut. This study aimed to describe trends in incidence of leptospirosis in Denmark from 2012 to 2021. Descriptive analyses were used to calculate the incidence, geographical distribution and possible routes of infection, as well as testing capacity and serological trends. The overall incidence rate was 0.23 per 100,000 inhabitants, with the highest annual incidence of 24 cases in 2017. Men between 40-49 years old were the demographic group most commonly diagnosed with leptospirosis. August and September were the months with highest incidence over the entire study period. The most common serovar observed was Icterohaemorrhagiae, although over a third of cases were diagnosed via polymerase chain reaction alone. The most common sources of exposure reported were travel abroad, farming, and recreational contact with fresh water, the latter being a new exposure compared to previous studies. Overall, a One Health approach would ensure better detection of outbreaks and milder disease. Additionally, preventative measures should be expanded to include recreational water sports.

Keywords: Denmark; disease surveillance; emerging disease; leptospirosis; one health (OH); zoonosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Annual incidence rate of leptospirosis per 100,000 inhabitants by year and reported travel-related exposure status in Denmark, 2012-2021.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Geographical distribution by province of incidence rates per 100,000 of all cases over the entire study period in Denmark, 2012-2021.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Incidence rates per 100,000 of leptospirosis in Denmark by age group and sex, 2012-2021.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Distribution of serovars among cases of leptospirosis by month, Denmark, 2012-2021.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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