Epidemiological characterization and risk factors associated with Leptospira infection in dogs from rural settlements in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Rural settlements are defined as family-run agrarian spaces. Their purpose, based on public policies, is to strengthen family agriculture. They are peculiar environments that can predispose to the risk of diseases, especially zoonotic diseases, due to close natural contact with animals that can be sources of infection. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of anti-Leptospira antibodies in dogs from rural settlements in the state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil, and to identify the risk factors associated with infection. A total of 306 dogs were sampled and Leptospira screening was performed using the microscopic agglutination test. In all, 27 of 306 (8.82%; 95% CI = 6.13-12.5%) dogs were seropositive for Leptospira spp. The most frequent serotype was Pomona. Street access (odds ratio = 3.53, p = 0.012) was indicated as a risk factor for infection. The results indicate that leptospirosis is present in dogs from rural settlements in the state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. This reinforces the need to limit contact between dogs and wild reservoirs and perform serological monitoring of swine. It also reinforces the need for implementation of control measures such as improvements in hygienic-sanitary conditions in the settlements, including the construction of pigsties away from homes, and the introduction of vaccination to reduce the occurrence of this disease, which will prevent transmission to humans and animals. Key words: Zoonoses. Rural área. Risk factors. Serology. ResumoOs assentamentos rurais são definidos como espaços agrários de organização familiar, cuja finalidade é o fortalecimento da agricultura familiar a partir de políticas públicas. São ambientes peculiares que podem predispor ao risco de doenças, especialmente de caráter zoonótico, considerando naturalmente o convívio estreito com os animais, que de certo modo, podem atuar como fontes de infecção. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a frequência de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. em cães de assentamentos rurais do Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil, bem como identificar os fatores de risco associados com a infecção. Foram utilizados 306 cães e o diagnóstico de Leptospira spp. realizados pela técnica de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (MAT). Foram identificados 27/306 (8,82%; IC 95% = 6,13 -12,5%) cães soropositivos para Leptospira spp. O sorotipo mais frequente foi o Pomona. A criação do tipo solto (Odds ratio = 3,53; p = 0,012) foi apontada como fator de risco para a infecção. Os resultados do presente estudo indicam que a leptospirose está presente em cães de áreas de assentamentos rurais do estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Isso reforça a necessidade de limitar o contato de cães com reservatórios silvestres, bem como fazer o monitoramento sorológico dos suínos e implantação de medidas de controle como melhorias nas condições higiênico-sanitárias nos assentamentos, destacandose a construção de pocilgas afastadas das residências e a introdução de vacinação com o intuito de reduzir a ocorrência dessa doença e, consequent...

Cross-sectional survey for canine leptospirosis in an Atlantic Rainforest area of the semiarid of Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil

“…The prevalence of the disease is influenced by several factors, including geographic distribution and socioeconomic factors (Baquero & Machado 2018), and in this context the conduction of epidemiological surveys in different locations is important. Some surveys with dogs have been carried out in the state of Paraíba (Alves et al 2004, Batista et al 2004, Azevedo et al 2011, Silva et al 2017b, Brasil et al 2018, Fernandes et al 2018a, however, there are still no surveys that indicate the epidemiological situation of canine leptospirosis in the Brejo paraibano microregion, which can be considered a important transmission area, as this region presents specific characteristics that may influence the occurrence of this disease, including the presence of remnants of the Atlantic Rainforest (Porto et al 2004) and high rainfall (AESA 2019). According to data from the Ministry of Health, 325 cases of human leptospirosis from 2000 to 2018 were confirmed in the state of Paraíba (SINAN 2017), which reinforces the need to carry out epidemiological surveys in the region.…”