The problem of human leptospirosis in Barbados

Abstract

The results of a retrospective study of human leptospirosis cases occurring in Barbados during the period 1968–1974, and of serological findings among high risk occupational groups, fever cases and health centre patients monitored for the disease during 1975–1977, indicate that infection by serotype fort-bragg of the Autumnalis group is widespread in this Caribbean island. The occupational groups most affected are sanitation workers and sugar-cane workers. Results of serological tests conducted at the principle hospital are comparable with the results obtained by the microscopic agglutination reference test procedure conducted at the Pan American Zoonosis Centre (CEPANZO).