Leptospirosis in suspected cases of dengue in Jamaica, 2002-2007

Due to overlapping clinical features with other febrile illnesses, the diagnosis of leptospirosis is often overlooked, resulting in delay in treatment and increased mortality. In this study the prevalence of leptospirosis was determined in 590 patients with dengue-like illnesses using the Leptospira IgM dipstick and dengue enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Leptospira IgM antibodies were found in 27 (5.0%) patients. Dengue IgM negative (6.9% versus 2.5%, P < 0.05) and dengue IgG positive patients (8.0% versus 3.5%, P < 0.01) were more likely to be leptospira IgM positive. Fever, skin rash, central nervous system and respiratory involvement were the most common presenting features. The presence of arthralgia (P = 0.016), hepatitis (P = 0.000), jaundice (P = 0.003), splenomegaly (P = 0.041) and haematuria (P = 0.029) were associated with leptospirosis. In countries with an endemicity of leptospirosis and dengue it is important that patients with dengue-like illnesses, especially those with no serological evidence of current primary dengue infection, be investigated for leptospirosis.