Leptospirosis is a disease widely prevalent in tropical areas, but may also be present in urban areas. The present study aims to determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira in the district of Puente Piedra, where there have been cases of severe leptospirosis in recent years. We collected data related to risk factors associated with leptospirosis and blood samples from 250 participants, selected by random sampling. We found a high prevalence of risk factors in the population and using the microscopic agglutination test, antibodies were found in only 3 participants (1.2%).

La leptospirosis es una enfermedad ampliamente prevalente en áreas tropicales, pero también se presenta en áreas urbanas. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo determinar la seroprevalencia para Leptospira en el distrito de Puente Piedra, donde se han presentado casos de leptospirosis severa en los últimos años. Se recolectaron datos relacionados a factores de riesgo asociados con leptospirosis y muestras de sangre de 250 participantes, seleccionados por un muestreo aleatorio. Se encontró una alta prevalencia de factores de riesgo en la población y, usando la prueba de aglutinación microscópica, anticuerpos circulantes contra Leptospira en solamente tres participantes (1,2%).

Leptospirosis is a disease widely prevalent in tropical areas, but may also be present in urban areas. The present study aims to determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira in the district of Puente Piedra, where there have been cases of severe leptospirosis in recent years. We collected data related to risk factors associated with leptospirosis and blood samples from 250 participants, selected by random sampling. We found a high prevalence of risk factors in the population and using the microscopic agglutination test, antibodies were found in only 3 participants (1.2%).

La leptospirosis es una enfermedad ampliamente prevalente en áreas tropicales, pero también se presenta en áreas urbanas. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo determinar la seroprevalencia para Leptospira en el distrito de Puente Piedra, donde se han presentado casos de leptospirosis severa en los últimos años. Se recolectaron datos relacionados a factores de riesgo asociados con leptospirosis y muestras de sangre de 250 participantes, seleccionados por un muestreo aleatorio. Se encontró una alta prevalencia de factores de riesgo en la población y, usando la prueba de aglutinación microscópica, anticuerpos circulantes contra Leptospira en solamente tres participantes (1,2%).

A 50 year-old man, a United States resident, presented in Texas with a violaceous non-ulcerating lesion, involving the entire lower eyelid. The patient had traveled to a jungle area of Belize several hours drive from the capital city. Leishmania mexicana was isolated. The lesion only partially resolved after an initial course of sodium stibogluconate, requiring retreatment. At two years of follow-up, there was no relapse. The parasite isolated from the patient caused a progressive, non-ulcerating lesion in an experimental mouse footpad infection. This is an unusual case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a traveler. Travelers must be educated about personal protective measures to prevent exotic infections acquired during travel.

A 50 year-old man, a United States resident, presented in Texas with a violaceous non-ulcerating lesion, involving the entire lower eyelid. The patient had traveled to a jungle area of Belize several hours drive from the capital city. Leishmania mexicana was isolated. The lesion only partially resolved after an initial course of sodium stibogluconate, requiring retreatment. At two years of follow-up, there was no relapse. The parasite isolated from the patient caused a progressive, non-ulcerating lesion in an experimental mouse footpad infection. This is an unusual case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a traveler. Travelers must be educated about personal protective measures to prevent exotic infections acquired during travel.