The Prevalence of Leptospirosis in Human Beings and Rats in Samsun

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zooanthroponosis and also it is an important public health problem in Samsun Turkey. The purpose of this study is to know the prevalence of leptospirosis in humans and rats. Serum samples for serology were obtained from 279 people with the risk of leptospirosis (e,g. farmers, veterians, rice-field workers) and 200 people with no risk. Sera of all the human and 10 rats were tested for the presence of leptospiral agglutinins by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using the following four leptospiral antigens; L. interrogans icterohaemorrhagiae, L. interrogans grippotyphosa, L. interrogans sejroe hardjo and L. biflexa semaranga patoc I. A titer of 1/100 and above for rats and 1/20 and above for epidemiological survey was considered as positive. A total of 4.3% of the risky group and 0.05% of controls were seropositive with using MAT. The difference being significant in risky group (p < 0.05). The serovars detected were 7 (58.3%) L. grippotyphosa, 5 (41.7%) L. icterohaemorrhagiae. Among 28 rats examined for evidence of leptospiral infection by dark field microscopy, silver staining, MAT and culture, the evidence of Leptospira infection was demonstrated in 53.6% of them by at least one method. Three rats were identified as serovar L. icterohaemorrhagiae (2 MAT, 1 culture). Leptospirosis is a frequent zoonosis in this area and leptospirosis should be considered as a possible diagnosis in febrile diseases in occupational groups such as farmers, veterians and rice-field workers