Seroprevalence of Leptospira antibodies among populations at risk

Abstract

Objective: This study was performed to assess the Leptospira IgG antibodies seroprevalence among populations at risk in Hodeida Governorate, Yemen. Methods: A total of 200 subjects (136 males and 64 females) participated in this study during June and December 2012.They represented 10 sewage workers, 22 butchers, 16 construction workers, 108 agriculture workers, 20 hospital sanitary workers and 24 blood donors. Predesigned questionnaires and consent were taken from each individual. Blood samples were collected from subjects, and the sera were tested by ELISA to detect the presence of leptospira IgG antibodies. The possible related factors for seropositivity were evaluated. Results: Leptospira IgG antibodies were found positive in 42% of the participants. The highest seroprevalence level was detected in sewage workers (80%), followed by hospital sanitary workers (60%), construction workers (37.5%) and farmers (37%). The lowest of antibodies was in butchers (36.4%). Seroprevalence among blood donors was 25% which was comparatively less than of the populations at risk. Seropositivity of Leptospira IgG antibodies was found higher among males than females (42.6% vs. 34.4%). The highest Leptospira antibodies seropositivity was among elderly participants (81.8%). The seropositivity of antibodies in population live in rural and urban areas was not significant differences. As for closely contacting with animals, the highest antibodies were discovered in people who had goats (80%) and sheep (60.9%). Conclusion: Individuals engaged in risk activities are often exposed to leptospiral infection. Therefore, control and prevention policy toward these people are necessary.

Keywords

• Leptospira antibodies, seroprevalence, risk groups

Seroprevalence of Leptospira antibodies among populations at risk

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma risk altındaki insanlardaki Leptospira IgG antikorlarının seroprevalansını değerlendirmek amacıyla Yemen’in Hudeyde Vilayetinde yapıldı.Yöntemler: Bu çalışma 2012 yılı Haziran ve Aralık ayları arasında yapıldı. Çalışmaya136 erkek ve 64 kadın olmak üzere toplamda 200 kişi katıldı. Çalışmaya katılanlar 10 kanalizasyon işçisi, 22 kasap, 16 inşaat işçisi, 108 tarım işçisi, 20 sağlık çalışanı ve 24 kan bağışçısından oluşmaktaydı. Gönüllü kişiler önceden hazırlanan anketi cevaplayarak çalışmaya katıldılar. Katılımcılardan kan örnekleri alındı ve bu örneklerde Leptospira IgG antikorlarının varlığı ELISA yöntemiyle test edildi. Seropozitiflik ile ilgili muhtemel risk faktörleri değerlendirildi.Bulgular: Leptospira antikorlarının risk altındaki toplumda sıklığı %42 olarak belirlendi. En yüksek seviye kanalizasyon işçilerinde %80 olarak tespit edildi. Kanalizasyon işçilerini sağlık çalışanları (%60), inşaat işçileri (%37,5) ve tarım çalışanları (%37) izledi. En düşük seviye kasaplarda görüldü (%36,4). Kan bağışçıları arasında seroprevalans %25 olarak bulundu ve bu da risk altındaki kişilere göre düşüktü. Leptospira IgG seropozitifliği erkeklerde kadınlara göre daha yüksekti (%42,6’ya karşılık %34,4). En yüksek Leptospira antikor serapositifliği %81,8 ile 58 yaş ve üzeri kişilerde görüldü. Kırsal alanda yaşayanlardaki leptospira IgG antikor sıklığı ile kentsel alanda yaşayanlar arasında önemli bir fark yoktu. Hayvanlarla temas halinde olanlar arasında en yüksek antikor pozitifliği keçi besleyen kişilerde (%80) ve koyun besleyen kişilerde (%60,9) idi. Sonuç: Risk altında olan kişiler çoğunlukla leptospiroza maruz kalan kişilerdir. Bundan dolayı kontrol stratejilerinin bu kişileri hedef alması gereklidir

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Leptospira antikorları, seroprevalans, riskli gruplar

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