title: Leptospirosis: skin wounds and control strategies, Thailand, 1999.
abstract: After an outbreak of leptospirosis in workers who participated in cleaning a pond during September 1999 in Thailand, a serologic survey was conducted. Among a cohort of 104 persons from one village who participated in pond cleaning activity, 43 (41.3%) were seropositive for immunoglobulin M antibodies against Leptospira, indicating recent infection. Only 17 (39.5%) of 43 seropositive persons reported a recent febrile illness; the remaining seropositive persons were considered asymptomatic, suggesting that asymptomatic leptospirosis infection may be common where leptospirosis is endemic. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that wearing long pants or skirts was independently protective against leptospirosis infection (OR(adjusted) = 0.217), while the presence of more than two wounds on the body was independently associated with infection (OR(adjusted) = 3.97). Educational efforts should be enhanced in areas where leptospirosis is endemic to encourage the use of protective clothing. In addition, wound management and avoidance of potentially contaminated water when skin wounds are present should be included in health education programs.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
authors.forename: Phran
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phraisuwan
authors.forename: Ellen A Spotts
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Whitney
authors.forename: Piyanit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tharmaphornpilas
authors.forename: Suriya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guharat
authors.forename: Samart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thongkamsamut
authors.forename: Suphaporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aresagig
authors.forename: Jayteeya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liangphongphanthu
authors.forename: Kanlayanee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Junthima
authors.forename: Apirat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sokampang
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ashford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000382:microbiology; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology