Abstract

CABELLO, MA et al. Dengue and leptospirosis share the same ecological niche in Carmen del Paraná (Itapua), a riverside locality. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2010, vol.8, n.1, pp.35-40. ISSN 1812-9528.

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to know the prevalence of dengue and leptospirosis in the inhabitants of Carmen del Paraná (Itapúa). Through a household sampling, we applied a questionnaire and collected blood samples. The heads of the families were informed about the methodology, benefits and possible risks so that they could decide about the participation of their families in the study. The presence of anti-leptospira IgG antibodies was determined by ELISA method in 320 individuals (211 women and 107 men) and anti-dengue virus antibodies in 399 individuals (255 women and 142 men). We found a dengue virus seroprevalence 25% (IC 95 %:20.7-29.4) without any differences between men and women. The prevalence of leptospirosis was 24.1% (IC95 %:19.6-29.2), higher in women than in men (28.4 % vs. 15.9 %; p value < 0.05). Dengue seroprevalence was higher in the age group older than 35 years old (36% vs. 17%, value of p < 0.001), whereas leptospirosis was more prevalent in those younger than 15 years old (48% vs 21.6%, p value < 0.001). Eight percent of the individuals who were leptospira positive were also dengue positive. In this community, there is an important number of individuals who has a risk of developing hemorrhagic dengue. The coexistence of dengue and leptospirosis in the same ecological niche is important because both diseases presented similar clinical characteristics, implying a problem for the physician at the time of determining the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it would be important to develop integral strategies of epidemiological surveillance, prevention and control of these diseases, based on the joint participation of healthcare personnel, authorities and community.

Keywords : Dengue; leptospira; antibodies; prevalence; Carmen del Paraná; Itapúa; Paraguay.

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