Molecular detection of Leptospira spp. in rats as early spatial predictor for human disease in an endemic urban area

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216830
• Publication Date: 2019-05-22T17:31:13Z
• Authors: Maysa Pellizzaro; Camila Marinelli ...; Ana Carolina Yama...; Diogo da Cunha Fe...; Vivien Midori Mor...; Fernando Ferreira; Andrea Pires dos ...; Alexander Welker ...; Helio Langoni
• Keywords: Human disease

Leptospirosis is considered a neglected zoonosis associated with infrastructure problems and low socioeconomic status, particularly slums. Since the disease mainly transmitted in urban settings by rat urine, this risk factor may be important predictor tool for prompt control effective prevention at local level endemic areas. Accordingly, present study aimed to propose an early spatial human leptospirosis settings, test methodology of molecular methods assessing Leptospira spp. trapped rats, report environmental data.Official city records previous were used select factors neighborhood Curitiba, Brazil. Neighborhood census sectors divided high- low-risk areas using 12 selected factors: flood area, water supply, course, green coverage, afforestation, sewage network, open sewage, garbage, garbage collection, dumpster, pavement, rodent complaints. In addition, rats captured pre-determined sites from January through March 2017, euthanized, individual kidneys samples sent diagnosis. Human cases obtained official records. total, 95/112 (84.8%) classified as leptospirosis. No significant statistical differences found case frequencies between high Kidney 17/25 (68.0%) positive The main presence included inadequate supply (p = 0.04), sanitary unpaved streets complaint rodents 0.04).This offers new approach score transmission risk, compare small their heterogeneity same sector Environmental within due basic services. To author's knowledge, first setting major city. Although number was low, basis interventions, focused on prior cases, potentially reducing morbidity mortality low-income settings.