Published online Sep 6, 2025. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v13.i25.106335
Revised: April 15, 2025
Accepted: May 13, 2025
Published online: September 6, 2025
Processing time: 134 Days and 17.7 Hours
Leptospirosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic disease with a significant burden in tropical and subtropical regions, including India. Despite its high fatality rate and endemic nature, the disease remains underreported in many areas, particularly in Northern India.
To analyze the demography, clinical presentation, complications, and mortality risk factors in presumptive leptospirosis patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital over the last 7 years from the Himalayan and Sub-Himalayan regions of Northern India.
A retrospective analysis was conducted on hospital records of patients admitted with leptospirosis at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, between January 2018 and December 2024. Diagnosis was based on the Modified Faine’s Criteria and laboratory confirmation via IgM enzyme-linked immu
A total of 62 patients were included in the study. The most common symptoms were fever (98.39%), myalgia (41.94%), and jaundice (20.97%). Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent complication, occurring in 72.58% of cases, followed by hepatic involvement (62.9%) and acute kidney injury (40.32%). Multiorgan dys
Leptospirosis remains a severe and often fatal disease in Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions, particularly in hilly areas, where underreporting and delayed diagnosis contribute to poor outcomes. Mortality was highest (33.33%) in cases with multiorgan involvement, particularly affecting the liver, kidneys, and lungs. We did not identify any statistically significant mortality predictors. Although the study did not assess the impact of timely diagnosis, improving healthcare accessibility in hilly regions may facilitate earlier detection and intervention, potentially reducing mortality.
Core Tip: This study highlights the high burden of severe leptospirosis, with significant multiorgan dysfunction, intensive care unit needs, and a 20.97% overall mortality rate. Patients from the Himalayan region had more severe renal impairment, higher hemodialysis requirements, and nearly double the mortality of the Sub-Himalayan group. Jaundice and acute respiratory distress syndrome were potential contributors to mortality, while international normalized ratio showed a possible protective association. These findings emphasize regional variability in disease severity and the need for targeted risk stratification and resource allocation.