Climate-driven models of leptospirosis dynamics in tropical islands from three oceanic basins

Background Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis which remains poorly known despite its epidemic potential, especially in tropical islands where outdoor lifestyle, vulnerability to invasive reservoir species and hot and rainy climate constitute higher risks for infections. Burden remains poorly documented while outbreaks can easily overflow health systems of these isolated and poorly populated areas. Identification of generic patterns driving leptospirosis dynamics across tropical islands would help understand its epidemiology for better preparedness of communities. In this study, we aim to model leptospirosis seasonality and outbreaks in tropical islands based on precipitation and temperature indicators. Methodology/Principal findings We adjusted machine learning models on leptospirosis surveillance data from seven tropical islands (Guadeloupe, Reunion Island, Fiji, Futuna, New Caledonia, and Tahiti) to investigate 1) the effect of climate on the disease’s seasonal dynamic, i.e., the centered seasonal profile and 2) inter-annual anomalies, i.e., the incidence deviations from the seasonal profile. The model was then used to estimate seasonal dynamics of leptospirosis in Vanuatu and Puerto Rico where disease incidence data were not available. A robust model, validated across different islands with leave-island-out cross-validation and based on current and 2-month lagged precipitation and current and 1-month lagged temperature, can be constructed to estimate the seasonal dynamic of leptospirosis. In opposition, climate determinants and their importance in estimating inter-annual anomalies highly differed across islands. Conclusions/Significance Climate appears as a strong determinant of leptospirosis seasonality in tropical islands regardless of the diversity of the considered environments and the different lifestyles across the islands. However, predictive and expandable abilities from climate indicators weaken when estimating inter-annual outbreaks and emphasize the importance of these local characteristics in the occurrence of outbreaks.

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S1 Fig. Leptospirosis, precipitation and temperature seasonal profiles of the studied Islands.
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S2 Fig. Leave-island-out MAE scores for the tested global seasonal models.
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S3 Fig. Leave-year-out ΔMAE scores of the per island inter-annual models.
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S4 Fig. Third dimension of the principal component analysis plotted against dimension 1 and 2 for Tahiti and Futuna.
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How to cite
Douchet Léa, Menkes Christophe, Herbreteau Vincent, Larrieu Joséphine, Bador Margot, Goarant Cyrille, Mangeas Morgan (2024). Climate-driven models of leptospirosis dynamics in tropical islands from three oceanic basins. Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases. 18 (4). e0011717 (21p.). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011717, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00888/99998/

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