Serological Studies on Bovine and Human Leptospirosis in Wonji, East Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2009
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A cross sectional study design, consisting serological and questionnaire surveys, was applied
to assess the occurrence of leptospirosis in cattle and humans in Wonji from October 2008 to
April 2009. Consequently, the seropositivity percentage for leptospirosis in human patients
visiting hospital and health center in Wonji and the seroprevalence of Leptospira interrogans
sv Hardjo in apparently healthy cattle was determined by using Leptospira IgM ELISA and
Leptospira Hardjo antibody ELISA respectively. The overall seropositivity percentage of
human leptospirosis was found to be 72.S% (n=298) and that of cattle was 30.4% (n=204). In
this study assessment of risk factors associated with human leptospirosis was carried out
based on semi-structured questionnaire survey. Regardless of wide distribution of the risk
factors included in this study, statistical analysis of relationship between the variables showed
that only occupation, animal contact and sampling sites were significantly associated (p<O.OS)
with seropositivity of leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis seropositivity occurred in all human age groups observed in this study, with
more frequenc of occurrence in individuals aged between 20 to SO years of age although no
significant statistical difference among age groups. There was no significant difference
between sexes on ELISA test result. Signs and symptoms manifested by the sampled patients
were highly distributed, but no statistical significance was observed.
Analysis of the occupational risk showed that housewives were found to be most frequently
reactive to Leptospira IgM ELISA ~est as compared to sugarcane factory and government
employees. Moreover, Leptospirosis seropositivity was significantly higher (p<O.OS) in
human cases having animal contact as compared to those who had no animal contact.
Leptospira interrogans sv Hardjo anitibody test was underway to measure the prevalence of
leptospirosis in cattle. Out of 204 samples tested, 62 were positive, with no significant
difference · (p<O.OS) between sex and sampling locations. The animals sampled were
apparently healthy and the high prevalence (30.4%) of Leptospira interrogans sv Hardjo,
which is pathogenic to humans, suggests the existence of considerable risk posed by animal
contact. Generally, this study emphasizes the potential public health importance of
• - ~ ~ ic; in the study area, where the cause of fever usually remains obscure because of
limited laboratory diagnostic facilities.
VI
To contain the disease, public awareness on the transmission routes, and health and economic
importance of leptospirosis should be implemented particularly in Wonji and generally in
other sim ilar areas that may support the maintenance of leptospirosis spread. Virtually no
work has been done in Ethiopia regarding the veterinary and public health significance of
leptospirosis that renders it as a forgotten disease with paramount health and economic
importance. Veterinarians and physicians should make collaborative further investigation on
leptospirosis epidemiology, control and prevention.
Keywords: Bovine, ELISA, Human Cases, Hardjo, IgM, Leptospirosis, Prevalence
Description
Keywords
Bovine, ELISA, Human Cases, Hardjo, IgM, Leptospirosis, Prevalence