Leptospirosis in stray dogs found in university campus: serological evaluation and urine direct exam

Abstract

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the Leptospirosis occurrence in stray dogs found in the campus of Universidade Estadual de Londrina - PR., from July to September 2007. The MAT (Microscopic Agglutination Test) was made as diagnostic serological test in 33 serum samples and the direct dark-field microscopy (DFM) in 10 urine samples. In the MAT, seven samples (21,21%) reacted and antibodies against the serovars Canicola, Pyrogenes and Castellonis were detected with titles of 200 to 400. In the DFM, were visualized typical Leptospira spp. morphology and motility structures in one sample. These data indicate the necessity of stray dogs' population control because it may represents a public health problem in the university campus population.