title: [Prevalence of leptospirosis in adults in Chile, 2003].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leptospirosis is a zoonosis endemic in some regions in Chile. Since its inclusion into the list of notifiable diseases, the Chilean Ministry of Health was able to maintain an adequate surveillance of leptospirosis. Nonetheless, some cases are not reported due to subclinical disease or nonspecific symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Determine the national prevalence of leptospirosis and assess the epidemiological characteristics of seropositive individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary data analysis of the National Health Survey, 2003.
  
  
  RESULTS
  National prevalence was 0.4%. Low socioeconomical status and female gender were characteristics, which were more frequently found in sero-positive cases. The most common serovars were icterohaemorrhagiae, bratislava and pomona.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present the first epidemiological analysis of leptospirosis on a national level in Chile. Thus, the study contributes to the knowledge the epidemiological situation of this disease in Chile.
authors: Departamento de Salud Pública, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile. solanat@med.puc.cl
authors: Solana
authors: S
authors: Terrazas
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Olea
authors: Stella
authors: S
authors: Riedemann
authors: Marisa
authors: M
authors: Torres
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira / Q000145:classification; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012960:Socioenvironmental Therapy; D055815:Young Adult