OBJECTIVE: To determine all cases of leptospirosis in the Netherlands in 1991-1995 that were confirmed by serological investigation or culturing. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective. SETTING: Department of Biomedical Research, Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHOD: Using data of the Reference Laboratory for Leptospirosis, the number of leptospirosis cases in 1991-1995 was determined and compared with the data of 1986-1990. Additional information was obtained about patients with confirmed leptospirosis or who had been hospitalized because of leptospirosis. RESULTS: The number of confirmed cases dropped from 229 in 1986-1990 to 159 in 1991-1995. This decrease could be attributed mainly to a marked decrease of the number of dairy farm fever (hardjo) cases. There was a clear increase of the number of infections acquired during travel in foreign countries, notably outside Europe. Thus, leptospirosis in the Netherlands shifted from an occupational disease towards a disease due to recreational activities. In about 10% of the patients the disease ran a severe course with Weil's syndrome (icterus, renal failure, and haemorrhages). Eight patients (5%) died. Clinical data of 5 of these 8 patients indicated that they had suffered from Weil's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE: To determine all cases of leptospirosis in the Netherlands in 1991-1995 that were confirmed by serological investigation or culturing. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective. SETTING: Department of Biomedical Research, Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHOD: Using data of the Reference Laboratory for Leptospirosis, the number of leptospirosis cases in 1991-1995 was determined and compared with the data of 1986-1990. Additional information was obtained about patients with confirmed leptospirosis or who had been hospitalized because of leptospirosis. RESULTS: The number of confirmed cases dropped from 229 in 1986-1990 to 159 in 1991-1995. This decrease could be attributed mainly to a marked decrease of the number of dairy farm fever (hardjo) cases. There was a clear increase of the number of infections acquired during travel in foreign countries, notably outside Europe. Thus, leptospirosis in the Netherlands shifted from an occupational disease towards a disease due to recreational activities. In about 10% of the patients the disease ran a severe course with Weil's syndrome (icterus, renal failure, and haemorrhages). Eight patients (5%) died. Clinical data of 5 of these 8 patients indicated that they had suffered from Weil's syndrome.
Authors: L Ciceroni; E Stepan; A Pinto; P Pizzocaro; G Dettori; L Franzin; R Lupidi; S Mansueto; A Manera; A Ioli; L Marcuccio; R Grillo; S Ciarrocchi; M Cinco Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2000-01 Impact factor: 8.082
Authors: Marga G A Goris; Vanessa Kikken; Masja Straetemans; Sandra Alba; Marco Goeijenbier; Eric C M van Gorp; Kimberly R Boer; Jiri F P Wagenaar; Rudy A Hartskeerl Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-10-03 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Marga G A Goris; Mariska M G Leeflang; Martin Loden; Jiri F P Wagenaar; Paul R Klatser; Rudy A Hartskeerl; Kimberly R Boer Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2013-07-11