Leptospira Contamination in Household and Environmental Water in Rural Communities in Southern Chile

Bibliographic Data

ID15487537
AuthorsClaudia Muñoz‐Zanzi (0000-0001-9317-7152, University of Minnesota, corresponding author), Meghan Mason (0000-0003-4036-352X, Minnesota Department of Health), Carolina Encina (Austral University of Chile), Ángel Astroza (Austral University of Chile), Alex Romero (0000-0002-9343-3352, Austral University of Chile)
Year2014
Volume11
Issue7
Pages6666-6680
Publication date2014-06-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph110706666
PMID24972030
PMCIDPMC4113836
OpenAlexW2010005860
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited3

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of global distribution that affects tropical and temperate areas. Under suitable conditions, Leptospira can survive in water and soil and contribute to human and animal infections. The objective of this study was to describe the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in peri-domestic water samples from rural households in southern Chile. Water samples, including puddles, containers, animal troughs, rivers, canals, and drinking water were collected from 236 households and tested for Leptospira using a PCR assay targeting the lipL32 gene. Evidence of Leptospira presence was detected in all sample types; overall, 13.5% (77/570) samples tested positive. A total of 10/22 (45.5%) open containers, 12/83 (14.5%) animal drinking sources, 9/47 (19.1%) human drinking sources, and 36/306 (19.3%) puddles tested positive. Lower income (OR = 4.35, p = 0.003), increased temperature (OR = 1.23, p < 0.001), and presence of dogs (OR = 15.9, p = 0.022) were positively associated with positive puddles. Increased number of rodent signs was associated with positive puddles in the household (OR = 3.22); however, only in the lower income households. There was no association between PCR positive rodents and puddles at the household level. Results revealed the ubiquity of Leptospira in the household environment and highlight the need to develop formal approaches for systematic monitoring

Biology · Environmental health · Geography · Leptospira · Leptospirosis · Socioeconomics · Temperate climate · Veterinary medicine · Zoonosis · Leptospirosis research and findings · Medicine · Ecology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access