Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka, 2003-2012

Abstract

In this study, predominantly reacting serovars were serovar medenensis (n=4) and hardjo (n=3). In addition, one sample reacted only in serovar canicola showing a possible infection through dogs. Previous studies have identified serogroup icterohaemorrhagia as the commonly circulating serovar causing human infection in Sri Lanka 21 which was not observed in 2003 outbreak in central Sri Lanka. The leptospira serovar hardjo, which was common in this study sample, is usually harboured by cattle and buffalo and the serovar canicola is typically found in dogs. Our study raised the probability that peri-domestic animals other than rodents may play an important role in transmission of human leptospirosis in Sri Lanka.