Korean J Med.  2001 Nov;61(5):553-561.

An epidemiological and clinical study of leptospirosis acquired by twelves combat policemen in september, 2000

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There were two occurrences of typhoon and the floods in Korea from early to late September, 2000. The Korean Combat Police and policemen participated in cleaning activities at the flooded area. Leptospirosis broke out among these participants. This study describes the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of leptospirosis patients among policemen.
METHODS
Of 16,750 individuals involved, 3,752 subjected to passive hemagglutination antibody (PHA) test at the Regional Health Care Units or the National Police Hospital. With 1 case of dead plus 12 cases which were turned out to be seropositive by PHA test and confirmed by microagglutination (MA) test, epidemiological and clinical characteristics were studied by questionnaire survey, laboratory test, and history of treatment while being hospitalized.
RESULTS
The seropositive rate of leptospira antibody was 0.3% (12/3,752). All 12 seropositives were bare-footed while working at the flooded area and of these, 8 patients (67%) were noticed abrasions either on hand or feet. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between the duration of outdoor activity and the seropositive rate (r=-0.46, p=0.36). There were clinical difference among patients who has the same serotype of leptospirosis, physical conditions, circumstance and the same work area. Two abnormal EKG results are present, the one who complained of chest pain is myocardial ischemia and the other who didn't complain of any symptoms is sinus pause. Correlation between the febrile period before and the duration of fever after the use of antibiotics was estimated as; febrile period after antibiotics use = 0.102804 + 0.995327 x febrile period before antibiotics use (p=0.058).
CONCLUSION
When leptospirosis is related to group activities, it is possible to educate in advance and to manage systematically afterwards, it may prevent the occurrence of leptospirosis or the related complications.

Keyword

Leptospirosis; Epidemiology; Complications; Clinical characteristics

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Chest Pain
Cyclonic Storms
Delivery of Health Care
Electrocardiography
Epidemiology
Fever
Floods
Foot
Hand
Hemagglutination
Humans
Korea
Leptospira
Leptospirosis*
Myocardial Ischemia
Police
Surveys and Questionnaires
Anti-Bacterial Agents
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