INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to compare haemoglobin and red cell counts between patients known to be infected with a range of leptospiral serovars.

METHODS: The study retrospectively compared the haemoglobin and red cell count results from the first blood samples taken from 207 patients at presentation to a Queensland Health hospital.

RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in haemoglobin and red cell counts in those infected with Leptospira interrogans serovars Szwajizak and Canicola when compared with most of the other serovars.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that haemoglobin and red cell counts may be useful in differentiating leptospiral serovars in leptospirosis patients.