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Review
. 2023 Aug 21:47:e126.
doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2023.126. eCollection 2023.

Prevalence of human leptospirosis in the Americas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ericka Souza Browne  1 , Marcos Pereira  1 , Ana Barreto  1 , Caio Graco Zeppelini  1 , Daiana de Oliveira  2 , Federico Costa  1
Affiliations
Review

Prevalence of human leptospirosis in the Americas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ericka Souza Browne et al. Rev Panam Salud Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Portuguese

Objective: To describe the prevalence of leptospirosis in the Americas.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis, in the period 1930 to 2017, performed on a search of six platforms: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, Embase, and Cochrane.

Results: The search found 77 publications of which 53 (68%) were from the period 2000-2017. Of the 77, 62 studies were included in the analysis, from North America (11, 17%), Central America (9, 14%), and South America (42, 67%), and 22 studies were from urban areas. Leptospirosis prevalence in the 62 studies analyzed corresponded to 28% (95% CI [23, 32]). Countries with higher prevalence were United States of America (41%), Colombia (29%), and Brazil (21%). The most frequent serovars found were Icterohaemorrhagiae (43 of 77 publications, 55%), Canicola (35, 45%), Pomona (28, 36%), and Grippotyphosa (26, 33%).

Conclusions: There is variability of Leptospira species and serovars with heterogenous distribution throughout the Americas, with high prevalence in some countries, highlighting the need for action to control the disease.

Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de la leptospirosis en las Américas.

Métodos: Revisión sistemática y metanálisis correspondientes al período 1930-2017, mediante una búsqueda en seis plataformas: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, Embase y Cochrane.

Resultados: En la búsqueda se encontraron 77 publicaciones, de las que 53 (68%) eran del periodo 2000-2017. En el análisis se incluyeron 62 de los 77 estudios, correspondientes a América del Norte (11, 17%), Centroamérica (9, 14%) y América del Sur (42, 67%), y 22 estudios correspondientes a zonas urbanas. La prevalencia de la leptospirosis en los 62 estudios analizados fue del 28% (IC del 95% [23, 32]). Los países con mayor prevalencia fueron Estados Unidos de América (41%), Colombia (29%) y Brasil (21%). Las serovariedades más frecuentes fueron icterohaemorrhagiae (43 de 77 publicaciones, 55%), canicola (35, 45%), pomona (28, 36%) y grippotyphosa (26, 33%).

Conclusiones: Se observa variabilidad de especies y serovariedades de Leptospira, con una distribución heterogénea en las Américas y una elevada prevalencia en algunos países, lo que pone de manifiesto la necesidad de adoptar medidas para controlar la enfermedad.

Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência da leptospirose nas Américas.

Métodos: Uma revisão sistemática e metanálise referente ao período de 1930 a 2017, realizada por meio de busca em seis plataformas: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, Embase e Cochrane.

Resultados: A pesquisa encontrou 77 publicações, das quais 53 (68%) eram do período de 2000 a 2017. Dos 77 estudos, 62 foram incluídos na análise, da América do Norte (11, equivalente a 17%), América Central (9, equivalente a 14%) e América do Sul (42, equivalente a 67%), e 22 estudos foram realizados em áreas urbanas. A prevalência da leptospirose nos 62 estudos analisados correspondeu a 28% (IC 95% [23, 32]). Os países com maior prevalência foram os Estados Unidos da América (41%), a Colômbia (29%) e o Brasil (21%). Os sorovares mais frequentes encontrados foram Icterohaemorrhagiae (43 de 77 publicações, equivalente a 55%), Canicola (35, equivalente a 45%), Pomona (28, equivalente a 36%) e Grippotyphosa (26, equivalente a 33%).

Conclusões: Há variabilidade nas espécies e sorovares de Leptospira, que têm distribuição heterogênea nas Américas e alta prevalência em alguns países, o que destaca a necessidade de ações para controlar a doença.

Keywords: Americas; Leptospirosis; meta-analysis; prevalence; serogroup.

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Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.. PRISMA flow diagram of the article selection process
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.. Boxplot of prevalence for the publications by year, 1930–2017
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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