Seroepidemiological study of leptospirosis among the communities living in periurban areas of Sarawak, Malaysia
- Author:
Sivapiragasam Thayaparan
;
Ian Robertson
;
Lela Suut
;
Umanga Chathurani Gunasekera
;
Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Leptospirosis
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2015;70(5):288-294
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Leptospirosis is endemic to tropical regions of
the world and is re-emerging as a new danger to public
health in Malaysia. the purpose of this particular study was
to determine the common leptospiral serovars present in
human communities living around wildlife
reserves/disturbed forest habitats. the objective of this
study was to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis
and finding infecting serovars in villages surrounded
habitats where wildlife lives in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Methods: A cross-sectional serological survey of 198
humans was conducted in four villages around Kuching,
Sarawak between January 2011 and March 2012.
results: A seroprevalence of 35.9% (95%cI 29.2-43.0) to the
MAt was detected in the tested humans. Antibodies to
serovar Lepto 175 Sarawak were most commonly detected
(31.3%; 95%cI 24.9-38.3) and were detected in individuals at
all four locations. the presence of skin wounds (Or 3.1),
farm animals (Or 2.5) and rats (Or 11.2) were all
significantly associated with seropositivity in a multivariable
logistic regression model.
conclusions: the results of the current study are important
as wildlife may act as reservoirs of leptospires for humans.
Health authorities should expand disease control measures
to minimise the spill-over from wildlife to humans visiting,
living or working in the sampled locations. the pathogenic
status of serovar Lepto 175 Sarawak also requires further
investigation.
- Full text:P020151109550870848241.pdf
