title: Leptospira Exposure and Patients with Liver Diseases: A Case-Control Seroprevalence Study.
abstract: The seroepidemiology of Leptospira infection in patients suffering from liver disease has been poorly studied. Information about risk factors associated with infection in liver disease patients may help in the optimal planning of preventive measures. We sought to determine the association of Leptospira IgG seroprevalence and patients with liver diseases, and to determine the characteristics of the patients with Leptospira exposure. We performed a case-control study of 75 patients suffering from liver diseases and 150 age- and gender-matched control subjects. Diagnoses of liver disease included liver cirrhosis, steatosis, chronic hepatitis, acute hepatitis, and amoebic liver abscess. Sera of participants were analyzed for the presence of anti- Leptospira IgG antibodies using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay. Anti-Leptospira IgG antibodies were found in 17 (22.7%) of 75 patients and in 15 (10.0%) of 150 control subjects (OR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.09-4.94; P=0.03). This is the first age- and gender-matched case control study about Leptospira seroprevalence in patients with liver diseases. Results indicate that Leptospira infection is associated with chronic and acute liver diseases. Results warrants for additional studies on the role of Leptospira exposure in chronic liver disease.
authors: Biomedical Research Laboratory. Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Durango, Mexico;
authors: Cosme
authors: C
authors: Alvarado-Esquivel
authors: Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Durango, Mexico;
authors: Luis Francisco
authors: LF
authors: Sánchez-Anguiano
authors: Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Durango, Mexico;
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Hernández-Tinoco
authors: Clínica de Medicina Familiar. Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado. Predio Canoas S/N. 34079 Durango, Mexico.
authors: Agar
authors: A
authors: Ramos-Nevárez
authors: Clínica de Medicina Familiar. Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado. Predio Canoas S/N. 34079 Durango, Mexico.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Margarita Cerrillo-Soto
authors: Clínica de Medicina Familiar. Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado. Predio Canoas S/N. 34079 Durango, Mexico.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Alberto Guido-Arreola
keywords: Leptospira; Mexico; association; case-control study; epidemiology; liver diseases; seroprevalence