Posted on

Leptospirosis: a need for increased awareness and improved laboratory testing

Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Winston-Salem State University, 304-D New Science Building, 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27110, USA Correspondence to: wishonl@wssu.edu; 336-750-8339 (work); 336-253-3677 (cell)

Abstract:
While leptospirosis is currently described as an emerging pathogen, there have likely been numerous cases worldwide each year for centuries. Hurricanes and other flooding events contribute to its spread through rodent urine, many cases of which go undiagnosed. This is especially problematic in developing countries where laboratory techniques may be out of date. There are over 100 cases per year in the United States of America, but millions of cases occur worldwide annually. Caused by many different species of fastidious, spiral-shaped Leptospira, it is difficult and slow to culture. Strides have been made to improve culture techniques in order to reduce the time to grow this genus of bacteria. Greater understanding of this disease by laboratorians, physicians, and other healthcare workers and improved laboratory identification techniques will help increase diagnoses and decrease morbidity and mortality of leptospirosis. Continue reading “Leptospirosis: a need for increased awareness and improved laboratory testing”

Posted on

Seroprevalence of and associated risk factors for Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo infection of cattle in Setif, Algeria

*1Benseghir, H., 2Amara-Korba, A., 1Azzag, N., 1Hezil, D., and 1Ghalmi, F.

1Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School, El Alia, Oued Smar, 1615, Algiers, Algeria

2Leptospira unit, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Rue 1 of Doctor LAVERAN, Hamma Anassers Algiers, Algeria

*Correspondence to: mazouni05@yahoo.fr

Abstract:
Background: Leptospirosis is a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by Leptospira interrogans responsible for heavy loss both economically and in health, in humans and animals. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo infection in cattle in the state of Setif, northeastern Algeria.

Methodology: Between the period 2015 and 2019, a total of 48 randomly selected herds of cattle were investigated, and 406 sera from apparently healthy cattle were analyzed using an indirect enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). In order to determine possible risk factors related to leptospirosis, a pre-validated questionnaire was administered to herd owners.

Results: The herd prevalence of Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo was 31.25% (15/48, 95% CI 19.95–45.33) while the cattle prevalence was 5.42% (22/406, 95% CI 3.61–8.07). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the age of cattle between 3 and 6 years (OR = 9.25; p< 0.03), breeding herd size > 20 cows (OR = 13.65; p< 0.01), and semi-intensive management system (OR = 0.21; p< 0,02) were significantly associated with seropositivity to Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo.

Conclusion: We concluded from this study that Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo is circulating among cattle farms in the state of Setif, Algeria. Furthermore, we recommend more studies to be carried out to prove the infectivity and implementation good hygienic practices among cattle farms and people at risk.

Keywords: ELISA, herds, questionnaire, leptospirosis, prevalence, Algeria

Received Jan 27, 2020; Revised March 10, 2020; Accepted March 11, 2020

Copyright 2020 AJCEM Open Access. This article is licensed and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attrition 4.0 International License <a rel=”license” href=”//creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/”, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided credit is given to the original author(s) and the source.

Séroprévalence et facteurs de risque associés de l’infection à Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo des bovins à Sétif, Algérie

*1Benseghir, H., 2Amara-Korba, A., 1Azzag, N., 1Hezil, D., et 1Ghalmi, F. Continue reading “Seroprevalence of and associated risk factors for Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo infection of cattle in Setif, Algeria”