Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in meat dealers in Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia

ABSTRACT Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease distributed worldwide, which is emerging as a public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. Traditionally, it has been considered as an occupational disease. The objective of this study was to determine the serological prevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in meat dealers in the city of Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia. An observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out in a population of 186 operators from meat establishments in the city of Tunja. The samples were analyzed using the microagglutination test in order to determine the serovar that causes the infection. Each participant answer a survey with important questions about socio-demographic, epidemiological and occupational factors. A seroprevalence of 43% [n = 80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 36%-50%] was found. According to the serovar analysis, the distribution was: L. bratislava 30% (n = 24; 95%IC: 20%-40%), L. hardjo 21.25% (n = 17; 95%IC: 12%-30%), L. pomona 20% (n = 16; 95%IC: 11%-29%), L. icterohaemorragiae 17.5% (n = 14; 95%IC: 9%-26%), L. grippotyphosa 16.25% (n = 13; 95%IC: 8%-24%), L. canicola 16.25% (n = 13; 95%IC: 8%-24%), and L. tarassovi 11.25% (n = 9; 95%IC: 4%-18%). The prevalence rate found in this study confirms the circulation of the microorganism in these operators, which may suggest the need to reinforce hygienic-sanitary, biosecurity and prevention measures as well as the control of the disease in this population.

摘要 钩端螺旋体病（Leptospirosis）是一种全球分布的人畜共患病，在热带及亚热带国家已成为日益凸显的公共卫生问题。传统上，该病曾被归类为职业病。本研究旨在明确哥伦比亚博亚卡省通哈市肉类商贩体内抗钩端螺旋体抗体的血清阳性率。研究针对通哈市186名肉类经营场所从业者开展了观察性横断面描述性研究。采用显微凝集试验对样本进行检测，以确定引发感染的致病血清型；同时向所有受试者发放调查问卷，收集其社会人口学、流行病学及职业相关因素信息。结果显示，总体血清阳性率为43%[n=80；95%置信区间（CI）：36%~50%]。血清型分布情况如下：布拉迪斯拉发钩端螺旋体（L. bratislava）占30%（n=24；95%CI：20%~40%），硬钩端螺旋体（L. hardjo）占21.25%（n=17；95%CI：12%~30%），波莫纳钩端螺旋体（L. pomona）占20%（n=16；95%CI：11%~29%），黄疸出血钩端螺旋体（L. icterohaemorragiae）占17.5%（n=14；95%CI：9%~26%），流感伤寒钩端螺旋体（L. grippotyphosa）占16.25%（n=13；95%CI：8%~24%），犬型钩端螺旋体（L. canicola）占16.25%（n=13；95%CI：8%~24%），塔拉索夫钩端螺旋体（L. tarassovi）占11.25%（n=9；95%CI：4%~18%）。本研究检出的血清阳性率证实了该人群中钩端螺旋体的循环传播，提示需强化该群体的卫生防疫、生物安全与预防措施，并开展针对性的疾病防控工作。