Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of leptospirosis in slaughter pigs; a neglected public health risk, western Kenya
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of public health importance transmitted through contact with contaminated soil, water or urine of infected animals
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis of public health importance transmitted through contact with contaminated soil, water or urine of infected animals. In pigs the disease is characterized by abortion, still births and weak piglets. A cross-sectional study was conducted in May to July 2018 to estimate the sero-prevalence of leptospirosis and factors associated with seropositivity in slaughter pigs. A questionnaire was used to collect information on animal demographics. Serum was tested for anti-leptospiral antibodies using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with a panel of 8 serovars. Sera were considered positive for sero-reactivity at a MAT titre ≥1:40 against at least one serovar. Chi-square tests were used to measure the strength of association between the MAT test result and exploratory variables.
This is a publication arising from the Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems (ZELS) programme
Citation
Ngugi J, Fèvre E, Mgode G, Obonyo M, Mhamphi G, Otieno C, Cook E (2019). Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of leptospirosis in slaughter pigs; a neglected public health risk, western Kenya. BMC Vet Res. 15:403.