Abstract

CORREA FRETES, Angélica Leonor et al. Leptospirosis seroprevalence in children living in cyclically flooded areas in Asuncion, Paraguay. Pediatr. (Asunción) [online]. 2015, vol.42, n.3, pp.211-215. ISSN 1683-9803.  https://doi.org/10.18004/ped.2015.diciembre.211-215.

Introduction: Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by Leptospira. The disease can range from mild to severe, and can even cause death. Materials and Methods: We performed an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study of seroprevalence, made in healthy children, ages 5 to 15 years, living in flood prone areas during September 2014. The study subjects answered a questionnaire and, after obtaining informed consent from the parents, we proceeded to extract blood for diagnostic testing. Results: We studied 80 children for anti-Leptospira IgG antibodies using ELISA and 62 children´s assessed their risk factors and symptomatology for probable clinical disease. All study subjects reported coming into contact with flood waters at least once, and all reported contacts with animals, including seeing rats around their homes. Of the 80 children who underwent ELISA, only 3 were positive (3.6%). Conclusions: Seroprevalence of leptospirosis in this pediatric population living in flood prone areas of Asunción is low, but active surveillance must be implemented for early detection of cases.

Keywords : Leptospirosis; seroprevalence; flood-prone area; pediatrics.

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