Seroprevalence ofLeptospirosis in Human beings and Animals in Central and NorthKerala

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of leptospirosis in animals and man in Central and North Kerala. Five hundred and one sera samples collected from dogs, cattle, pigs, rodents (bandicoots and rats) and human beings were serologically tested for leptospiral antibodies by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and Passive Haemagglutination Assay (PHA). The MAT detected a prevalence of 36.36 per cent in dogs, 47 per cent in cattle, 23.80 per cent in pigs, 21.42 per cent in rodents and 54,54 per cent in human beings. Passive Haemaglgutination assay detected a prevalence of 50.41 per cent in canine, 23 per cent in bovine, 19.04 per cent in porcine, 26.19 per cent in murine and 42.85 per cent in human sera. The most predominant serovar infecting dogs, pigs and rodents was identified as Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona. Humans showed maximum prevalence to serovar Australis followed by Pomona while cattle showed the highest prevalence to serovar Hardjo of serogroup Sehroe. High prevalence of leptospiral antibodies in apparently healthy animals like cattle proves the major role played by animals in the dissemination of infection in animal and human population.