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

Authors

  • José Dêvede da Silva Universidade Federal de Campina Grande
  • Demmya Haryssam Menezes Melo Universidade Estadual da Paraíba
  • Érico Luiz de Barros Correia Universidade Federal de Campina Grande
  • José Romero Alexandre Alves Universidade Federal de Campina Grande
  • Diego Figueiredo Costa Universidade Federal de Campina Grande
  • Severino Silvano dos Santos Higino Universidade Federal de Campina Grande
  • Sergio Santos Azevedo Universidade Federal de Campina Grande
  • Clebert José Alves Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n4Supl1p2531

Keywords:

Zoonoses, Rural área, Risk factors, Serology.

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.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

José Dêvede da Silva, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

Discente de Doutorado, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, UFCG, Patos, Brasil.

Demmya Haryssam Menezes Melo, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba

Discente, Curso de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, UEPB, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.

Érico Luiz de Barros Correia, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

Discente de Doutorado, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, UFCG, Patos, Brasil.

José Romero Alexandre Alves, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

Discente de Doutorado, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, UFCG, Patos, Brasil.

Diego Figueiredo Costa, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

Discente de Doutorado, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, UFCG, Patos, Brasil.

Severino Silvano dos Santos Higino, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

Prof. Dr., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, UFCG, Patos, Brasil.

Sergio Santos Azevedo, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

Prof. Dr., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, UFCG, Patos, Brasil.

Clebert José Alves, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

Prof. Dr., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, UFCG, Patos, Brasil.

Downloads

Published

2017-08-25

How to Cite

Silva, J. D. da, Melo, D. H. M., Correia, Érico L. de B., Alves, J. R. A., Costa, D. F., Higino, S. S. dos S., … Alves, C. J. (2017). Epidemiological characterization and risk factors associated with Leptospira infection in dogs from rural settlements in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 38(4Supl1), 2531–2542. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n4Supl1p2531

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 > >> 

Similar Articles

1 2 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.