The epidemiology and clinical features, of 46, cases of human leptospirosis diagnosed in Israel between 1986 and 1999 were analysed. The median patient age was 37.5 years (range, 16-85 years), and the male/female ratio was 43/3. The most common serogroup found was Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae. The disease was associated with jaundice in 71% of cases, acute renal failure in 62%, rhabdomyolysis in 52%, pancytopenia in 28%, respiratory failure in 14% and disseminated intravascular coagulation in 5%. Leptospirosis occurs sporadically throughout the year, peaking during the summer months. A shift occurred from predominantly agriculture-related serogroups in the 1970s to urban-related serogroups during the study period reported, with Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae being the dominant serogroup.
