High incidence of leptospirosis in an observational study of hospital outpatients in Vanuatu highlights the need for improved awareness and diagnostic capacities.
Junior George PakoaMarie-Estelle Soupé-GilbertDominique GiraultDexter TakauJustina GavigaAnn-Claire GourinatArnaud TarantolaCyrille GoarantPublished in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases (2018)
The high numbers of both seropositive patients and acute leptospirosis cases observed in outpatients visiting Port Vila Central Hospital suggest a high exposure to pathogenic Leptospira in the population studied. The MAT serology pointing to serogroup Australis as well as exposure history suggest that livestock animals largely contribute to the burden of human leptospirosis in Vanuatu. The analysis of residential and travel data suggests that the risk might even be higher in other islands of the Vanuatu archipelago. Altogether, our study emphasizes the need to increase awareness and build laboratory capacity to improve the medical care of leptospirosis in Vanuatu.
Keyphrases
- end stage renal disease
- healthcare
- endothelial cells
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- chronic kidney disease
- peritoneal dialysis
- prognostic factors
- electronic health record
- big data
- patient reported outcomes
- intensive care unit
- hepatitis b virus
- machine learning
- drug induced
- artificial intelligence
- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation