title: Serological evidence of leptospirosis in patients with a clinical suspicion of dengue in the State of Ceará, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dengue and leptospirosis are two febrile illnesses of great clinical and epidemiological importance in Brazil. Their significant degree of symptomatic similarity makes clinical diagnosis difficult.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To diagnose leptospirosis differentially in patients with clinically suspected dengue.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 86 patients with clinically suspected dengue underwent virological and serological diagnostic evaluations for dengue (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, NS1 immunochromatographic test, and NS1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA), as well as tests to detect immunoglobulin M (IgM; IgM/IgG Rapid Test and IgM ELISA). The same patients were subsequently evaluated for leptospirosis using Rapid Test IgG/IgM (Bioeasy®) and Leptospira IgM ELISA (PanBio®).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 86 patients, 48 (55.8%) had positive results for dengue in at least one of the tests and five (7.35%) showed positive reactions for leptospirosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During dengue epidemics, this disease may be misdiagnosed as other infections, including leptospirosis, when diagnosis is based on nonspecific clinical and laboratory criteria alone.
authors: Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Brasil.
authors: Laiane Fernanda
authors: LF
authors: de Melo Bezerra
authors: Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Brasil.
authors: Raissa Matos
authors: RM
authors: Fontes
authors: Hospital Distrital de Maternidade Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
authors: Almira Maria Monteiro
authors: AM
authors: Gomes
authors: Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Brasil.
authors: Dyana Alves
authors: DA
authors: da Silva
authors: Hospital São José de Doenças Infecciosas, Fortaleza, Brasil.
authors: Jeová Keny Baima
authors: JK
authors: Colares
authors: Universidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brasil.
authors: Danielle Malta
authors: DM
authors: Lima
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D060085:Coinfection; D003715:Dengue / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007919:Leptospira / Q000276:immunology*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012698:Serologic Tests; D063189:Symptom Assessment
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M