Introduction
WHAT IS LEPTOSPIROSIS?
According to CDC, leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira that affects humans and animals. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to severe clinical manifestations which lead to death of infected person. Without proper treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), kidney damage, respiratory distress, liver failure, and even death.
Leptospirosis is most common in temperate or tropical climates. Leptospirosis is considered as an occupational hazard especially in military personnel, professionals that are constantly in contact with animals and reservoirs. Recently, outdoor activities have increased the infection rate amongst ecotourists, campers, hikers, swimmers and hunters, resulted in the disease becoming a serious public health hazard.
In Malaysia, human leptospirosis becomes an important and emerging zoonotic disease that caught the attention of researchers, health practitioner, medical practitioners and Ministry of Health Malaysia. With tremendous increment in leptospirosis cases (1,976 in 2010 to ~5,730 in 2015) with significant mortality rate, leptospirosis was classified as notifiable disease on Dec 9, 2010, under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988. The average incidence rate is 3.02 per 100,000 populations. Case fatality rate is 1.3 – 7.6% while majority of the fatal cases occur between 20 – 50 years old. However, the cases are grossly underestimated (source: Ministry of Health Malaysia).
We are facing a lot of challenges involved with leptospirosis. Clinically, leptospirosis infection mimics other diseases such as dengue and malaria, with non-specific signs and symptoms, resulted in misdiagnosed of the infection. Furthermore, current diagnostic approaches in diagnosis leptospirosis are not accurate and laborious. All these challenges lead to improper or late treatment for the leptospirosis infected patients, sometimes resulted in high fatality rate for complicated infection. Apart from clinical challenges, we are vague on animal reservoir for leptospirosis, the biological and environment factors contributing to the spreading of the disease.
OUR OBJECTIVES
1. To coordinate the research activities of leptospirosis research.
2. To collaborate with the main stakeholders, particularly Ministry of Health Malaysia and universities.
3. To collaborate with international partners.
4. To provide training, knowledge and competency in research