Cluster of Leptospirosis Acquired Through River Surfing in Switzerland

Schreiber, Peter W.; Aceto, Leonardo; Korach, Raphael; Marreros Canales, Nelson Antonio; Ryser-Degiorgis, Marie-Pierre; Günthard, Huldrych F. (2015). Cluster of Leptospirosis Acquired Through River Surfing in Switzerland. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2(3), ofv102. Oxford University Press 10.1093/ofid/ofv102

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Background.  In Switzerland, leptospirosis is still considered as a travel-associated disease. After the surprising diagnosis of leptospirosis in a patient who was initially suspected as having primary human immunodeficiency virus infection, we recognized that acquisition of leptospirosis occurred through recreational activities and we identified additional affected individuals. Methods.  Detailed anamnesis, excluding occupational exposure, acquisition abroad, and pet contacts, enabled us to detect the source of infection and identify a cluster of leptospirosis. Convalescent sera testing was performed to confirm Leptospira infection. Microscopic agglutination tests were used to determine the infecting serovar. Results.  We identified a cluster of leptospirosis in young, previously healthy persons. Acquisition of leptospirosis was traced back to a surfing spot on a river in Switzerland (Reuss, Aargau). Clinical presentation was indistinct. Two of the 3 reported cases required hospitalization, and 1 case even suffered from meningitis. Serologic tests indicated infection with the serovar Grippotyphosa in all cases. With the exception of the case with meningitis, no antibiotics were administered, because leptospirosis was diagnosed after spontaneous resolution of most symptoms. Despite a prolonged period of convalescence in 2 cases, full recovery was achieved. Recent reports on beavers suffering from leptospirosis in this region underline the possible water-borne infection of the 3 cases and raise the question of potential wildlife reservoirs. Conclusions.  Insufficient awareness of caregivers, which may be promoted by the missing obligation to report human leptospirosis, combined with the multifaceted presentation of the disease result in significant underdiagnosis. More frequent consideration of leptospirosis as differential diagnosis is inevitable, particularly as veterinary data suggest re-emergence of the disease.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

05 Veterinary Medicine > Research Foci > Veterinary Public Health / Herd Health Management
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology (DIP)
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology (DIP) > Center for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI)

UniBE Contributor:

Marreros Canales, Nelson Antonio, Ryser, Marie Pierre

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

2328-8957

Publisher:

Oxford University Press

Language:

English

Submitter:

Nelson Antonio Marreros Canales

Date Deposited:

11 Feb 2016 16:12

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:51

Publisher DOI:

10.1093/ofid/ofv102

PubMed ID:

26269796

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.75162

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/75162

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