Lim V K E
Division of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Malays J Pathol. 2011 Jun;33(1):1-5.
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonotic infection. In developing countries large outbreaks have occurred in urban slums and following floods. Individuals from developed nations are also now more frequently exposed to the infection as a result of international travel and greater participation in certain outdoor recreational activities. Leptospirosis remains a diagnostic challenge since it often presents as a non-specific febrile event and laboratory diagnosis is still currently inadequate. Rapid tests may not be sufficiently sensitive in early disease and culture facilities are not widely available. A severe pulmonary haemorrhagic form of the infection is increasingly being encountered in many countries including Malaysia. The control of leptospirosis is largely dependent on general hygienic measures and rodent control. An effective human vaccine is still not available. There remains much that is unknown about this disease and there is scope and opportunity for good quality research.
钩端螺旋体病是一种再度出现的人畜共患感染病。在发展中国家，城市贫民窟和洪灾之后曾发生过大的疫情。由于国际旅行以及更多地参与某些户外休闲活动，发达国家的个人现在也更频繁地接触到这种感染。钩端螺旋体病仍然是一个诊断难题，因为它常常表现为非特异性发热病症，而且目前实验室诊断方法仍不完善。快速检测在疾病早期可能不够灵敏，而且培养设施也未广泛普及。包括马来西亚在内的许多国家，越来越多地遇到这种感染的严重肺出血形式。钩端螺旋体病的防控很大程度上依赖于一般卫生措施和鼠类控制。目前仍没有有效的人用疫苗。关于这种疾病仍有许多未知之处，存在开展高质量研究的空间和机会。
