CLINICAL MANIFESTATION AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF LEPTOSPIROSIS AT THE MODERN STAGE IN GEORGIA.

Abstract

Introduction: Leptospirosis is considered one of the most common zoonotic infections in the world and is characterized by distribution in countries of subtropical and tropical zones. In Georgia A sharp increase in the frequency of leptospirosis began in 2011, and the morbidity rate increased to 16.3. Also, the landscape of detected serovars changed during this period: L.Pomona, L.icterohemorragiae, L.grippotyphosa, L.hebdomadis, among them the most frequently registered - L.pomona -45%.

Materials and methods: A recent study aimed to reveal clinical and epidemiological peculiarities of leptospirosis at the modern stage, particularly those with heightened instances post-COVID-19. From January to June 2023, we studied 62 individuals with prolonged fever (more than 5 days without catarrhal events). The cohort study was conducted at the First University Clinic of TSMU); They were hospitalized at the First University Clinic. Comparative analysis was done with previous study which was conducted in 2013-2014 The diagnosis of leptospirosis was confirmed in the case of a reliable, diagnostic Ig M titer using the ELISA method, which was performed at the Lugar Research Center.

Results: According to the study which was done at the First University Clinic in 2023(From January to June) leptospirosis was confirmed in 40 cases (64.5%) due to serological analysis. The age range varied from 17 to 80 years, females were 29 % and males 71% with almost equal representation from urban 54.8 % and rural 45.2% areas. The clinical spectrum of leptospirosis included pneumonia, Weil's disease, and neurological diseases. Icteric forms registered in 12.9 %, Unicteric forms in 87.1%; Pneumonia was the most common clinical syndrome in 35.5%, symptoms of CNS damage (meningitis, meningoencephalitis, meningomyelitis) were also registered 12.9% each. haemorrhagic stroke revealed in 1 (2.5% ) patient. Weil's disease in 23.6 % cases. Comparative analysis of clinical-epidemiological features from 2013-2014 to 2023 revealed changes in the frequency of clinical variants and epidemiological characteristics. Increased rate of anicteric forms of Leptospirosis have been noticed recently Conclusion: The disease has expanded its distribution to urban areas, indicating a wider reach. Because of various clinical manifestation of leptospirosis. the study emphasizes the importance of diagnosing leptospirosis in cases of prolonged fever, leptospirosis with its dynamic nature and changing clinical patterns, underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance of fever of unknown origin, differential diagnosis with other diseases and prompt intervention, especially in period of post-Covid 19.