Human Leptospirosis in Argentina: An Analysis Scheme, 2014

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In general, there are only estimates of the number of cases in the Americas. This data is commonly obtained by both national and provincial Ministries of Health which, despite data limitations, provide useful information on leptospirosis incidence trends, outbreak identification and effects of government interventions. OBJECTIVES: To know the incidence of leptospirosis cases detected by laboratory during 2014 in Argentina, and to generate an analysis scheme of databases from different national organisms to be repeated and diffused annually. METHODS: The SIVILA and INER databases were analyzed, taking into account the cases reported in 2014, according to the date of onset of symptoms. RESULTS: The incidence of confirmed leptospirosis cases in 2014 was 0.32/100 000 persons, mostly detected in Santa Fe, Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos provinces. The most prevalent circulating serogroups were Icterohaemorrhagiae, Sejroe and Canicola. CONCLUSIONS: These studies motivate the suspicion, notification and surveillance of leptospirosis and are useful both to improve the knowledge of the incidence of cases and their distribution, as well as to guide actions towards the most risky places in the country.