Into the spotlight: A spatial study of potentially underreported leptospirosis among dengue-negative patients in Sao Paulo city, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis and dengue share similar unspecific symptoms, complicating differential diagnosis in endemic regions. This overlap is further exacerbated by the often-underrecognized nature of leptospirosis, resulting in low clinical suspicion among healthcare providers. Understanding the scale of underdiagnosed leptospirosis cases, particularly among dengue-negative patients, is critical for improving public health responses. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 6,936 febrile patients who tested negative for dengue at public health services across São Paulo city. Serum samples from these patients were subsequently tested for anti-Leptospira IgM antibodies. Spatial analysis was conducted to identify areas at increased risk of underdiagnosed leptospirosis, and these findings were com

SUBMITTER: Esteves SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11922267 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature