Abstract

CESPEDES Z, Manuel; BALDA J, Lourdes; GONZALEZ Q, Dana  and  TAPIA L, Rafael. Situación de la leptospirosis en el Perú 1994-2004. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica [online]. 2006, vol.23, n.1, pp.56-66. ISSN 1726-4634.

During the last ten years, leptospirosis has emerged as an important infectious disease in Peru. It currently occurs in urban areas in the main cities of the coast, highlands, and jungle; and it also occurs in rural areas. Mortality rates have been increasing due to the following reasons: low clinic suspicion, lack of diagnostic laboratories in many regions, and because of some other less known bacteria-related reasons, such as its inherent pathogenicity or immunopathological response. Nowadays, cases presenting with pulmonary hemorrhage are occurring, which sometimes can be fatal. Cases have been confirmed in 18 of 24 regions in Peru, and the disease is most frequent in Loreto, Lima, and Madre de Dios departments. Most frequent serogroups are Varilla and Icterohemorrhagiae, the latter associated with fatal cases. No vaccine is available, so prevention of the disease is based on sanitary measurements, which sometimes are not readily available, especially in developing countries such as Peru.

Keywords : Leptospira; Leptospirosis; Review; Peru.

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