Prevalence of leptospirosis in healthy dogs and dogs with kidney disease in Klang Valley, Malaysia
- Author:
Lau, S.F.
;
Low, K.N.
;
Khor, K.H.
;
Radzi, R.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2016;33(3):469-475
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Leptospirosis is under-reported and remarkably neglected in Malaysia, especially
in companion animals. In recent years, dogs have become popular pets and potentially act as
one of the risk factors for human leptospiral infection. The purpose of this study was to
determine the serological and molecular status of leptospirosis in healthy and dogs with
kidney disease in Klang Valley, Malaysia and to gain insight of the possible serovars involved
in the dog population in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Blood samples were obtained from 57 dogs
(19 kidney disease patient; 38 healthy dogs, respectively). Serum samples obtained from
these animals were screened for leptospiral antibodies by the microscopic agglutination test
(MAT). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was performed on plasma samples to detect
leptospiral DNA. By MAT, three out of 19 (15.8%) dogs with kidney disease were positive for
L. canicola. One out of 38 (2.6%) healthy dogs was positive for L. icterohemorrhagiae. The
overall seroprevalence for leptospirosis in dogs in Klang Valley, Malaysia was 7.0% (n=4/57).
Only one out of the 19 dogs (5.3%) with kidney disease was tested positive to pathogenic
Leptospira by PCR assay. All the 38 healthy dogs were negative. Positive results in healthy
dogs and dogs with kidney disease for leptospirosis warrant further investigation of leptospirosis
in dog population in Malaysia. The prevalence and incidence of this disease in the dog
population in this country need further investigation.
- Full text:P020170123332147912498.pdf
