Vol. 1, Issue 13, Part I (2015)

Abstract
In leptospirosis, risk groups are certain groups of humans in a population that are more likely to be exposed as a result of their occupational/recreational activities. Also there are many factors such as rain water contact, animal contact and recreational activities responsible for the risk of acquiring the disease. Leptospirosis outbreaks have been reported from different regions of Maharashtra State which is mainly associated with flooding. Retrospective analysis of the data was carried out to determine the risk groups and risk factors associated with leptospirosis cases reported at Sindhudurg District; Maharashtra State, India. Molecular and Serological diagnosis of 37 referred serum samples of leptospirosis suspected cases were carried out at the Nodal laboratory for Re-Emerging diseases at Haffkine Institute, Mumbai. Out of 37 samples, 24 (64.86%) tested positive for leptospirosis either by IgM ELISA or by Real-Time PCR. The data analysis revealed leptospirosis positivity of 35.13% among farmers, which is a substantial number followed by 16.21% in students. This analysis also demonstrated that water contact and animal contact are the primary risk factors responsible for leptospirosis in the study area. These observations highlight the importance of risk groups since they are more vulnerable for acquiring leptospirosis. Hence, it is necessary to create awareness among the risk groups as a measure to avoid leptospirosis.