Leptospirosis, evaluation of disease prognosis factors, city of São Paulo, 2005

Abstract

 This paper intends to evaluate some clinical and laboratorial factors for leptospirosis prognosis in the city of São Paulo, in 2005. Data was obtained from the databank of the National System for Reportable Hazards (SINAN), of the Zoonosis Division of the Epidemiologica Surveillance Center “Prof. Alexandre Vranjac”. Analysis showed a significant association between death and the presence of respiratory distress, cardiac insufficiency, kidney failure and hemorrhagic episodes, and did not show relationship to the onset of meningitis. Significant alterations on blood biochemical exams for deaths resulting from leptospirosis were: urea > 50 mg/dL, creatinin >1,3 mg/dL and plaque counting below 100.000 mm3. There was no association with potassium levels, as well as with common leptospirosis symptoms, such as fever, headaches, mialgia, except ictericious forms. Limitations of the study were, among others, the difficulties to find information in the databank and the lack of uniform criteria for data collection and input. However, some of the results  reinforce data from the literature, what renders importance to the usage of the databank of Sinan for clinicalepidemiological studies. There is the need for further and more detailed research on prognosis evaluation for acute infectious diseases as well as the perfecting of the scientific methodology. It is important to identify patients on higher risk for the worse prognosis, since the institution of early and adequate treatment can avoid unnecessary deaths of young people. We must also remember preventive and control measures to avoid contact of the population with the urine of infected animals, therefore reducing the incidence of the disease.