Canine leptospirosis in Puerto Rico

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease globally.
• Stray animal populations can act as reservoirs for infectious agents.
• Understanding leptospirosis prevalence in canines is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of leptospiral agglutinins in stray dogs in Puerto Rico.
• To identify the most common leptospiral serogroups affecting dogs in the region.
• To assess the role of dogs in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in Puerto Rico.

Main Methods:

• Serological survey of 116 stray dogs in Puerto Rico.
• Detection of leptospiral agglutinins using serological testing.
• Analysis of infection rates based on age and sex.

Main Results:

• 62.9% of surveyed dogs (73/116) had significant titers to leptospiral serotypes.
• The icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup was the most prevalent, identified in 72.6% (53/73) of infected dogs.
• Older dogs showed higher infection rates compared to younger dogs; infection rates were similar between sexes.

Conclusions:

• Canine leptospirosis is highly prevalent in the stray dog population of Puerto Rico.
• The icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup is a significant cause of leptospirosis in these dogs.
• Dogs play a critical role in the transmission dynamics of leptospirosis due to their interactions with rats and humans.