Data for Participatory action research to detect pathogenic Leptospira in water bodies of neighborhoods vulnerable to floods in Santa Fe, Argentina

This dataset is associated with a study that aimed to identify areas with the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in marginalized neighborhoods of Santa Fe, Argentina, through a participatory action research approach. Three neighborhoods highly vulnerable to hydrological risks and leptospirosis outbreaks—Colastiné Sur, La Vuelta del Paraguayo, and Chalet—were selected. Community members participated actively in sample collection and documentation of environmental conditions. We optimized a DNA extraction and qPCR protocol tailored for complex environmental matrices, enabling the sensitive detection of pathogenic Leptospira. Collection of water samples took place in June 2019. In each neighborhood a total of 11 sampling points were selected. At each selected location, a sample of 100 ml of water was collected using two sterilized 50 ml Falcon tubes. Sampling points were georeferenced using GPS, and environmental parameters such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, salinity, and turbidity were measured using a multiparameter (YSI - model 85). For each sample, we collected environmental data, including the type of water source (river, lagoon or wetland, pond, roadside channel or ditch, flooded area, drainage, or other), the amount of light exposure (full light, semi-shade, or shade), and the presence of the following within 50–150 meters: stray dogs, stray/feral cats, poultry, cattle, horses, goats, or rabbits (yes/no for each). We also noted the presence of garbage within the same radius (yes/no), estimated its quantity (low, high), and documented the presence of debris (yes/no) and weeds (yes/no).