Prevalence of leptospirosis in vaccinated working dogs and human population with occupational risk

Introduction: Working canines have been identified as a risk group for developing leptospirosis, because leptospiras can be infected and maintained in the renal tubules and interstices for a long time, becoming carriers and sources of infection for other hosts, including humans. Objective: To establish the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in vaccinated working dogs and in the occupationally exposed population at six police units in Colombia. Materials and methods: A total of 92 vaccinated dogs (65 males and 27 females) and 69 people at six police units in the municipalities of Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibague, Tulua and Cali were tested. Three structured instruments were applied and blood samples were obtained from people and dogs, which were processed with the microagglutination test MAT test in 24 serogroups. A clinical examination of the dogs was performed and urine samples were obtained for urine culture. Results: The seroprevalence of human leptospirosis was 2.9% (n = 2) and in dogs 57.61% (n = 53). Among the dogs, serogroups L. Canicola and L. Panama were the most prevalent. The urine culture was positive in 58.7% (54/92) of the samples. A statistically significant association was found between the age of the dogs >= 10 years (p = 0.043) and the location of the police unit, with the urine culture (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in dogs suggest an endemic presentation of the infection. There is an urgent need to improve current diagnostic methods to investigate canine leptospirosis and differentiate