Leptospirosis distribution related to freshwater habitats in the Vojvodina region (Republic of Serbia).

Abstract

The retrospective study (2002-2007) for human leptospirosis in Vojvodina was undertaken in order to describe the distribution of the disease in relation with some environmental factors. Regarding the presented results, the major detected number of leptospirosis cases concurs with stagnant waters, wetlands, fish pond areas and protected regions, which comprised the basis for mapping of the region in three risk zones: very high risk (incidence rate higher than 5.0), high risk (2.5-5.0) and medium risk of leptospirosis infection (1.0-2.5). During the investigated period, 97 cases were registered with an average of 13.85 cases per year: 2002, 32 cases; 2003, 7; 2004, 22; 2005, 16; 2006, 4 and 2007, 16. Out of these 97 cases only 5 were women. Serovars from 11 presumptive serogroups caused infection, with a predominance of Icterohaemorrhagiae and Bratislava, accounting for 72.72% of cases together. Icterohaemorrhagiae was the commonest infecting serogroup mostly connected with fish ponds. Case fatality ratio was 9.4%.