title: Outbreak of leptospirosis among canyoning participants, Martinique, 2011.
abstract: Two gendarmes who participated in canyoning activities on 27 June 2011 on the Caribbean island of Martinique were diagnosed with leptospirosis using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), 9 and 12 days after the event. Among the 45 participants who were contacted, 41 returned a completed questionnaire, of whom eight met the outbreak case definition. The eight cases sought medical attention and were given antibiotics within the first week after fever onset. No severe manifestations of leptospirosis were reported. In seven of the eight cases, the infection was confirmed by qPCR. Three pathogenic Leptospira species, including L. kmetyi, were identified in four of the cases. None of the evaluated risk factors were statistically associated with having developed leptospirosis. Rapid diagnostic assays, such as qPCR, are particularly appropriate in this setting – sporting events with prolonged fresh-water exposure – for early diagnosis and to help formulate public health recommendations. Participants in such events should be made specifically aware of the risk of leptospirosis, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
authors.affiliation: Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Fort-de-France University Hospital, Martinique, France. patrick.hochedez@chu-fortdefrance.fr
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hochedez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Escher
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Decoussy
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pasgrimaud
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosine
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Théodose
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bourhy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Picardeau
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olive
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ledrans
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cabie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008395:Martinique / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult