The Use of Chemoprophylaxis after Floods to Reduce the Occurrence and Impact of Leptospirosis Outbreaks
by
Maria Cristina Schneider 1,*, Jorge Velasco-Hernandez 2, Kyung-duk Min 1, Deise Galan Leonel 1, David Baca-Carrasco 2, Matthew E. Gompper 3, Rudy Hartskeerl 4 and Claudia Munoz-Zanzi 5
Maria Cristina Schneider 1,*, Jorge Velasco-Hernandez 2, Kyung-duk Min 1, Deise Galan Leonel 1, David Baca-Carrasco 2, Matthew E. Gompper 3, Rudy Hartskeerl 4 and Claudia Munoz-Zanzi 5
1
PAHO Health Emergencies Department, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC 20037, USA
2
Instituto de Matematicas, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Juriquilla 76230, Mexico
3
School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
4
WHO/FAO/OIE and National Leptospirosis Reference Centre, Amsterdam 1105, The Netherlands
5
Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Peng Bi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(6), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14060594
Received: 21 April 2017 / Revised: 23 May 2017 / Accepted: 31 May 2017 / Published: 3 June 2017
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extreme Weather and Public Health)
Record-breaking and devastating rainfall events have occurred in the past decade. Rain and floods are considered the main risk factors for leptospirosis and several outbreaks have been reported following extreme weather events. In such situations, one possible intervention to prevent leptospirosis cases in high-risk groups is the use of chemoprophylaxis. However, not enough evidence of its effect is available. The objectives of this study were to review the literature on the current practices of chemoprophylaxis for leptospirosis and to explore, using a mathematical model, how various chemoprophylaxis scenarios may affect the progression of a leptospirosis outbreak. Twenty-six peer-reviewed publications were selected (10 quantitative studies, two systematic reviews and 14 articles of other types). Oral doxycycline was the most used antibiotic for chemoprophylaxis of leptospirosis. Post-exposure prophylaxis was assessed in four studies following a natural disaster. Although evidence of the effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis is inconsistent, the direction of association supported a protective effect for morbidity and mortality. The theoretical model showed how the assumed benefit of chemoprophylaxis was influenced by the time and rate of administration. Future models should consider the heterogeneity of affected communities, improved estimates of the effect of chemoprophylaxis on leptospirosis infection and disease, as well as potential detrimental impacts. Additional research is critical to provide clear evidence-based recommendations for leptospirosis control during an outbreak. The results of this study suggest that chemoprophylaxis may provide some protection in reducing the number of leptospirosis cases after a high-risk exposure; however, the effective benefit may depend on a variety of factors such as the timing and coverage of prophylaxis. The information summarized can be used to support decision-making during a high-risk event.
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Keywords:
leptospirosis; chemoprophylaxis; extreme weather; outbreaks
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MDPI and ACS Style
Schneider, M.C.; Velasco-Hernandez, J.; Min, K.-D.; Leonel, D.G.; Baca-Carrasco, D.; Gompper, M.E.; Hartskeerl, R.; Munoz-Zanzi, C. The Use of Chemoprophylaxis after Floods to Reduce the Occurrence and Impact of Leptospirosis Outbreaks. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 594.
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