Leptospirosis in humans and animals in Malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023
Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease that remains under-reported and misdiagnosed, particularly in tropical regions such as Malaysia. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of leptospirosis cases in humans and animals in Malaysia from 1976 to 2023, examining trends in prev...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en |
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Veterinary World
2025
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/123731/1/123731.pdf http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/123731/ https://veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/March-2025/14.php |
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| author | Lea, Joy Siang Xin Reduan, Mohd Farhan Hanif Choong, Siew Shean Kamaruzaman, Intan Noor Aina Ooi, Peck Toung AbuBakar, Sazaly Loong, Shih Keng Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Sabri |
| author_facet | Lea, Joy Siang Xin Reduan, Mohd Farhan Hanif Choong, Siew Shean Kamaruzaman, Intan Noor Aina Ooi, Peck Toung AbuBakar, Sazaly Loong, Shih Keng Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Sabri |
| author_sort | Lea, Joy Siang Xin |
| building | UPM Library |
| collection | Institutional Repository |
| content_provider | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| content_source | UPM Institutional Repository |
| continent | Asia |
| country | Malaysia |
| description | Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease that remains under-reported and misdiagnosed, particularly in tropical regions such as Malaysia. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of leptospirosis cases in humans and animals in Malaysia from 1976 to 2023, examining trends in prevalence, outbreak patterns, diagnostic advancements, and associated risk factors. The disease is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or indirectly via contaminated water and soil, with rodents serving as a major reservoir. In Malaysia, leptospirosis prevalence has increased in recent years, with a notable correlation between outbreaks and occupational exposure, recreational water activities, and monsoon-related flooding. Surveillance data indicate that specific populations, including agricultural workers, town service employees, and animal handlers, are at elevated risk. Furthermore, the disease is commonly misdiagnosed due to its clinical similarities with other endemic febrile illnesses, such as dengue fever and malaria. Advances in diagnostic methodologies, particularly the increasing use of molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have enhanced early detection, although serological tests remain widely used in epidemiological studies. This review underscores the necessity of a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health strategies to improve surveillance and control measures. Future research should focus on strengthening diagnostic capabilities, understanding environmental reservoirs, and implementing targeted public health interventions to mitigate leptospirosis transmission in Malaysia. |
| format | Article |
| id | my.upm.eprints-123731 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| language | en |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Veterinary World |
| record_format | eprints |
| spelling | my.upm.eprints-1237312026-03-18T01:32:04Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/123731/ Leptospirosis in humans and animals in Malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023 Lea, Joy Siang Xin Reduan, Mohd Farhan Hanif Choong, Siew Shean Kamaruzaman, Intan Noor Aina Ooi, Peck Toung AbuBakar, Sazaly Loong, Shih Keng Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Sabri Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease that remains under-reported and misdiagnosed, particularly in tropical regions such as Malaysia. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of leptospirosis cases in humans and animals in Malaysia from 1976 to 2023, examining trends in prevalence, outbreak patterns, diagnostic advancements, and associated risk factors. The disease is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or indirectly via contaminated water and soil, with rodents serving as a major reservoir. In Malaysia, leptospirosis prevalence has increased in recent years, with a notable correlation between outbreaks and occupational exposure, recreational water activities, and monsoon-related flooding. Surveillance data indicate that specific populations, including agricultural workers, town service employees, and animal handlers, are at elevated risk. Furthermore, the disease is commonly misdiagnosed due to its clinical similarities with other endemic febrile illnesses, such as dengue fever and malaria. Advances in diagnostic methodologies, particularly the increasing use of molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have enhanced early detection, although serological tests remain widely used in epidemiological studies. This review underscores the necessity of a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health strategies to improve surveillance and control measures. Future research should focus on strengthening diagnostic capabilities, understanding environmental reservoirs, and implementing targeted public health interventions to mitigate leptospirosis transmission in Malaysia. Veterinary World 2025-03-23 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/123731/1/123731.pdf Lea, Joy Siang Xin and Reduan, Mohd Farhan Hanif and Choong, Siew Shean and Kamaruzaman, Intan Noor Aina and Ooi, Peck Toung and AbuBakar, Sazaly and Loong, Shih Keng and Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Sabri (2025) Leptospirosis in humans and animals in Malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023. Veterinary World, 18 (3). art. no. 14. pp. 673-685. ISSN 0972-8988; eISSN: 2231-0916 https://veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/March-2025/14.php Veterinary (all) 10.14202/vetworld.2025.673-685 |
| spellingShingle | Veterinary (all) Lea, Joy Siang Xin Reduan, Mohd Farhan Hanif Choong, Siew Shean Kamaruzaman, Intan Noor Aina Ooi, Peck Toung AbuBakar, Sazaly Loong, Shih Keng Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Sabri Leptospirosis in humans and animals in Malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023 |
| title | Leptospirosis in humans and animals in Malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023 |
| title_full | Leptospirosis in humans and animals in Malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023 |
| title_fullStr | Leptospirosis in humans and animals in Malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leptospirosis in humans and animals in Malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023 |
| title_short | Leptospirosis in humans and animals in Malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023 |
| title_sort | leptospirosis in humans and animals in malaysia: a review from 1976 to 2023 |
| topic | Veterinary (all) |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/123731/1/123731.pdf http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/123731/ https://veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/March-2025/14.php |
| url_provider | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/ |