Abstract

QUITIAN, Helena et al. Leptospira spp. infection seroprevalence in assistants and veterinarians working in small animal consulting rooms in Villavicencio (Colombia). Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2009, vol.25, n.1, pp.47-55. ISSN 0120-5552.

Objective: Determining to six serovares Leptospira spp. seroprevalence in assistants and veterinarians working in small animal consulting rooms in Villavicencio, Meta Colombia that previously had been seroreactor for Elisa-Pambio. Materials and Methods: 72 sera samples were taken from a subgroup of individuals consisting of assistants and veterinarians, in turn forming part of a larger population which included another 7 human groups at risk of becoming infected by Leptospira spp.; a cross-sectional epidemiological model was used and subjects were chosen by convenience. The sera had remained frozen (-70°C) in the Universidad de los Llanos Animal Reproduction and Genetics laboratory since being obtained. A commercial indirect ELISA kit (Pambio) was used for determining IgM antibodies. hardjoprajitno, copenhageni, canícola, icterohaemorrhagiae, autumnalis, bratislava, australis and pomona serovars were used in the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The protocol of laboratory of the national program of investigation in animal health of CORPOICA-CEISA was used. Results: MAT seropositivity was 26.4% (21% in assistants and 29% in veterinarians) Seropositivity by serovar was: 24% bratislava, 8% australis, 6% copenhageni, 3% canícola, 1% autumnalis and hardjoprajitno. No reactors to icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona were found. Serological titres ranged from 1:25 to 1:400. Conclusions: It was thus concluded that seropositivity in the group being studied was high and worrying, meaning that biosafety measures must be maximized for all people working in veterinary practice.

Keywords : Leptospira; ELISA; sero-epidemiological study; risk factor.

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