Laboratory diagnosis and epidemiological features of leptospirosis cases in a tribal region of Western Maharashtra, India: A retrospective study

Abstract

Purpose: Palghar district, located in the coastal region of the Konkan division of Maharashtra, has a predominantly tribal population. Leptospirosis is a major neglected public health problem and is highly underreported in Palghar district. The study aimed to evaluate the seropositivity of Leptospira infection and its associated epidemiological factors in tribal areas of the Palghar district of Maharashtra.

Methods: The present retrospective study included 94 samples of patients clinically suspected of leptospirosis during a period of one year (2021-2022) tested at Model Rural Health Research Unit (MRHRU) Dahanu. The serum sample testing was done for the presence of specific Leptospira IgM antibodies using the Panbio™ Leptospira IgM ELISA kit. Leptospirosis seropositivity was correlated with various epidemiological risk factors.

Results: A total of 12 samples of patients tested positive for specific IgM antibodies by ELISA method, indicating an overall positivity of 12.8%. Among those who tested positive, fever (83.3%), headache (58.3%), myalgia (50%), redness of the eyes (50%), and calf tenderness (16.7%) were the common symptoms observed. Subjects with redness of the eyes were significantly associated with leptospirosis (p = 0.018). The highest positivity (50%) was reported from the Ganjad area of Dahanu taluka. Farmers and animal handlers were most affected by leptospirosis.

Conclusion: The high proportion of Leptospirosis cases reflects the endemic nature of the disease in the Palghar district. This study shows seasonal trends in leptospirosis incidence over the year. The clinical presentation of leptospirosis may vary from sub-clinical to mild illness to severe and potentially fatal. The findings of this study will be important for achieving the overarching goal of One Health.

Keywords: ELISA; Leptospirosis; MRHRU; Seropositivity; Tribal.