title: Epidemiological and clinical features of leptospirosis in Israel.
abstract: The epidemiology and clinical features of 46 cases of human leptospirosis diagnosed in Israel between 1986 and 1999 were analysed. The median patient age was 37.5 years (range, 16-85 years), and the male/female ratio was 43/3. The most common serogroup found was Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae. The disease was associated with jaundice in 71% of cases, acute renal failure in 62%, rhabdomyolysis in 52%, pancytopenia in 28%, respiratory failure in 14% and disseminated intravascular coagulation in 5%. Leptospirosis occurs sporadically throughout the year, peaking during the summer months. A shift occurred from predominantly agriculture-related serogroups in the 1970s to urban-related serogroups during the study period reported, with Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae being the dominant serogroup.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine C, Rabin Medical Centre, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petach-Tikva, Israel. bisha@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bishara
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amitay
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barnea
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yitzhaki
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pitlik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D017678:Sex Distribution