Investigation about knowledge of people infected by Leptospira spp. and seroprevalence, leptospiruria and leptospiraemia of their pet dogs

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, endemic in Brazil, who affects several mammals, including man. Asymptomatic dogs can transmit and it is considered that the number of animals with this status is underestimated. Although most of studies being performed by serology, the serology doesn't predict if the animal presents leptospiruria. To detecting leptospires in urine, molecular diagnosis is indicated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Due to the lack of data to evaluate how present these reservoir dogs are and how much they are involved in transmission to humans, this study aimed to investigate the renal carrier status to Leptospira spp. in contacting dogs of people affected by leptospirosis in Curitiba/Parana. Fifteen blood and urine samples were collected from dogs belonging to eight owners who had leptospirosis a few time ago. Serology (microscopic serum agglutination) and PCR of both samples were performed. DNA extraction were done to posterior PCR performing. All serologic tests were negative as well the blood and urine PCR assay. These results suggest that the dogs submitted to the study were not the source of infection, therefore, there was no relation between asymptomatic carriers and sick owners in this study.