Dataset Information

Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis among High-Risk Individuals in Morocco.

ABSTRACT: Background:Leptospirosis is an anthropozoonotic reemerging neglected infectious disease underreported in most developing countries. A cross-sectional study was performed between 17 and 23 February 2014 to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among high-risk populations in Casablanca (Morocco). Methods:A total of 490 human serum samples (97.6% males) were collected in 3 high-risk occupational sites including the biggest meat slaughterhouse (n?=?208), a poultry market (n?=?121), and the fish market (n?=?161). A total of 125 human blood samples were also collected from the general population and used in this study as a control group. To detect the presence of anti-Leptospira, sera were screened with in-house IgG and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive samples were tested by Microscopic Agglutination Technique (MAT) using a panel of 24 serovar cultures and cut point of 1?:?25. Results:Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among the control group was 10.4% (13/125). A high seropositivity among the overall seroprevalence of 24.1% (118/490) was observed in the high-risk groups of which 7.3% (36/490), 13.7% (67/490), and 3.1% (15/490) were for anti-Leptospira IgM, IgG, and both IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Most of the positive individuals were occupationally involved in poultry (37.2%), followed by the market fish (26.1%) and the meat slaughterhouse (14.9%) workers. Among all ELISA-positive serum samples, 20.3% (n?=?24) had positive MAT responses, of which the Icterohaemorrhagiae (n?=?7) is the most common infecting serogroup followed by Javanica (4), Australis (2), and Sejroe, Mini, and Panama (one in each). In the remaining 8 MAT-positive sera, MAT showed equal titers against more than one serogroup. Conclusion:Individuals engaged in risk activities are often exposed to leptospiral infection. Therefore, control and prevention policies toward these populations are necessary.

SUBMITTER: El Azhari M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7256772 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis among High-Risk Individuals in Morocco.

El Azhari Mohamed M Picardeau Mathieu M Cherkaoui Imad I Anouar Sadat Mohamed M Moumni Houda H Marhoum El Filali Kamal K Ghazal Hassan H Maaroufi Abderrahmane A Hamdi Salsabil S El Mdaghri Naima N Bourhy Pascal P

Interdisciplinary perspectives on infectious diseases 20200520

<h4>Background</h4>Leptospirosis is an anthropozoonotic reemerging neglected infectious disease underreported in most developing countries. A cross-sectional study was performed between 17 and 23 February 2014 to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among high-risk populations in Casablanca (Morocco).<h4>Methods</h4>A total of 490 human serum samples (97.6% males) were collected in 3 high-risk occupational sites including the biggest meat slaughterhouse (<i>n</i> = 208), a poultry market ...[more]

PMID: 32565788

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Project description:BackgroundThe first documented human leptospirosis cases in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) occurred following 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We conducted a representative serosurvey in USVI to estimate the seroprevalence and distribution of human leptospirosis and evaluate local risk factors associated with seropositivity.Methodology/principal findingsA stratified, two-stage cluster sampling design was used and consisted of three island strata and random selection of census blocks and then households. All eligible members of selected households were invited to participate (≥5 years old, resided in USVI ≥6 months and ≥6 months/year). Household and individual-level questionnaires were completed, and serum collected from each enrolled individual. Microscopic agglutination test serology was conducted, and bivariate and logistic regression analyses completed to identify risk factors for seropositivity. In March 2019, 1,161 individuals were enrolled from 918 households in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. The territory-wide weighted seroprevalence was 4.0% (95% CI:2.3-5.7). Characteristics/exposures independently associated with seropositivity using logistic regression included contact with cows (OR: 39.5; 95% CI: 9.0-172.7), seeing rodents/rodent evidence or contact with rodents (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1-5.9), and increasing age (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.002-1.04); full or partial Caucasian/White race was negatively correlated with seropositivity (OR: 0.02, 95% CI: 0.04-0.7). Bivariate analysis showed self-reported jaundice since the 2017 hurricanes (pRR: 5.7; 95% CI: 1.0-33.4) was associated with seropositivity and using a cover/lid on cisterns/rainwater collection containers (pRR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.08-0.8) was protective against seropositivity.Conclusions/significanceLeptospirosis seropositivity of 4% across USVI demonstrates an important human disease that was previously unrecognized and emphasizes the importance of continued leptospirosis surveillance and investigation. Local risk factors identified may help guide future human and animal leptospirosis studies in USVI, strengthen leptospirosis public health surveillance and treatment timeliness, and inform targeted education, prevention, and control efforts.

Project description:BackgroundLeptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis of public health importance transmitted through contact with contaminated soil, water or urine of infected animals. In pigs the disease is characterized by abortion, still births and weak piglets. A cross-sectional study was conducted in May to July 2018 to estimate the sero-prevalence of leptospirosis and factors associated with seropositivity in slaughter pigs. A questionnaire was used to collect information on animal demographics. Serum was tested for anti-leptospiral antibodies using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with a panel of 8 serovars. Sera were considered positive for sero-reactivity at a MAT titre ≥1:40 against at least one serovar. Chi-square tests were used to measure the strength of association between the MAT test result and exploratory variables.ResultsA total of 252 pig serum samples from seven slaughterhouses were tested for Leptospira antibodies by MAT. Of the 252 pigs sampled, 88.8% (244/252) were indigenous breeds; 55.6% (140/252) were female and 88.7% (220/252) were reared in extensive production systems. Eighty-three (32.9%; 83/252) sera samples tested positive on MAT against at least one serovar. Of the 8 serovars, the highest prevalence was recorded for serovar Lora 21.4% followed by Kenya 5.2%, Sokoine 3.6% and Grippotyphosa at 3.2%. Risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in pigs were: originating from farms with other types of livestock (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.0-4.5) and mature pigs (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.3).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that there is a high prevalence of leptospirosis positive pigs at slaughter in a small-holder livestock keeping region of the Lake Victoria basin. The potential for cross species transmission of pathogenic serovars is highlighted as well as the potential for occupational exposure to slaughterhouse personnel. Improvements in husbandry practices (confinement and rodent control) and public health education among slaughterhouse workers and other high-risk groups is recommended.

Project description:ObjectivesThe aim of the present research is to update data on the seroprevalence of rubella and to identify the associated risk factors among pregnant women in the Rabat region of Morocco in order to take immediate action to monitor the virus.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingThe study was conducted at Ibn Sina University Hospital and at referral healthcare centres in the region of Rabat.ParticipantsA total of 502 pregnant women (mean age 29.7±6.3 years, range 17-44 years) attending the maternity department during 8 months were selected for serological testing.Outcome measuresA structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic, reproductive and clinical characteristics after obtaining written informed consent. Venous blood samples were collected to determine rubella-specific IgG antibodies using an automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (ARCHITECT i1000SR and i2000SR, Abbott Diagnostics).ResultsAntirubella IgG antibodies (≥10 IU/mL) were found in 408 (85.9%) pregnant women examined. The rate of susceptibility to rubella virus infection among pregnant women was found to be 14.1%. These protective rates were found to differ significantly between uneducated pregnant women (80.9%) and those with university-level education (95.5%) (p=0.02). Pregnant women in the 17-24, 25-34 and 35-44 years age groups accounted for 92.5%, 85.2% and 82.8%, respectively (p=0.015). Also, IgG seropositivity status was found to differ significantly between multiparous (83.3%) and primiparous (92.5%) pregnant women (p=0.01). None of the other characteristics was significantly associated with rubella infections.ConclusionVaccination programmes need to be updated to ensure that campaigns reach their specified goals. Thus, implementing an effective, large-scale screening programme for congenital rubella infection in different regions of Morocco is highly recommended. On the other hand, seronegative pregnant women should be given special preventive care and health education about rubella transmission and congenital rubella syndrome sequelae.

Dataset Information

Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis among High-Risk Individuals in Morocco.

Publications

Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis among High-Risk Individuals in Morocco.

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