Detection of antibodies to Leptospira spp. in serum samples from occupational groups in the State of Pernambuco

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in occupational groups in the municipality of Garanhuns - State of Pernambuco, Brazil. One hundred fifty-five samples were collected, and a questionnaire for analyzing risk factors was applied. The serological diagnosis was performed by using Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). The prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. Was 5.19 % (8/154, CI 2.27 % - 9.98 %). Among the participants from urban areas the prevalence was 5.68 % (5/88, CI 1.87 % - 12.76 %), and 4.55 % in rural areas (3/66, CI 0.95 % - 12.71 %). The most common serotypes were Grippotyphosa (12.5 %) in rural areas, and in the urban area was Autumnalis (12.5 %); Wolffi (25 %) and Australis (50 %) were observed both in rural and urban areas. In analyzing the risk factors, no association was observed between variables and serology reactivity. This study has been the first report on the detection of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in urban and rural workers of the municipality of Garanhuns. This finding points out the care and the performance of studies in areas of low or silent prevalence for leptospirosis, for implementing prevention and control measures.