African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5233

Full Length Research Paper

Recognition of leptospirosis in dengue-suspected cases during dengue outbreak in Ceará State, Brazil

Augusto César Aragão OLIVEIRA
  • Augusto César Aragão OLIVEIRA
  • Pathology Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Raissa Matos FONTES
  • Raissa Matos FONTES
  • Pathology Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Claudênia Costa PRACIANO
  • Claudênia Costa PRACIANO
  • Pathology Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Fernanda Montenegro de Carvalho ARAÚJO
  • Fernanda Montenegro de Carvalho ARAÚJO
  • Laboratory of Public Health of the Ceará State (LACEN), Brazil
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Luciano Pamplona de Góes CAVALCANTI
  • Luciano Pamplona de Góes CAVALCANTI
  • 1. Pathology Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; 3. Community Health Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Jeová Keny Baima COLARES
  • Jeová Keny Baima COLARES
  • 1. Pathology Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; 4. University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil
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Margarida Maria de Lima POMPEU
  • Margarida Maria de Lima POMPEU
  • Pathology Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Danielle Malta LIMA*
  • Danielle Malta LIMA*
  • 1. Pathology Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; 4. University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil
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  •  Received: 04 February 2014
  •  Accepted: 14 April 2014
  •  Published: 23 April 2014

Abstract

Dengue fever frequently presents with non specific symptoms, making it difficult to be distinguished from other acute febrile illnesses, including leptospirosis. Given this, serum samples from 82 patients with clinical features of dengue-like illness were evaluated for dengue infection by IgM-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Negative samples for dengue were tested for leptospirosis by IgM-ELISA and PCR. Dengue infection was detected in 35 patients. Six patients were positive to leptospirosis. This result shows that leptospirosis is underestimated in Ceará State, especially during epidemics of dengue with many reports, leading to an apparent low incidence of leptospirosis.

 

Key words: Dengue, leptospirosis, differential diagnosis, underrecognition, misdiagnosis.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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