Halliday, J.E.B. et al. (2013) Urban leptospirosis in Africa: a cross-sectional survey of Leptospira infection in rodents in the Kibera Urban Settlement, Nairobi, Kenya. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 89(6), pp. 1095-1102. (doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0415) (PMID:24080637) (PMCID:PMC3854886)
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Abstract
Leptospirosis is a widespread but under-reported cause of morbidity and mortality. Global re-emergence of leptospirosis has been associated with the growth of informal urban settlements in which rodents are thought to be important reservoir hosts. Understanding the multi-host epidemiology of leptospirosis is essential to control and prevent disease. A cross-sectional survey of rodents in the Kibera settlement in Nairobi, Kenya was conducted in September-October 2008 to demonstrate the presence of pathogenic leptospires. A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that 41 (18.3%) of 224 rodents carried pathogenic leptospires in their kidneys, and sequence data identified Leptospira interrogans and L. kirschneri in this population. Rodents of the genus Mus (37 of 185) were significantly more likely to be positive than those of the genus Rattus (4 of 39; odds ratio = 15.03). Questionnaire data showed frequent contact between humans and rodents in Kibera. This study emphasizes the need to quantify the public health impacts of this neglected disease at this and other urban sites in Africa.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Knobel, Mr Darryn and Halliday, Dr Jo and Allan, Dr Kathryn and Cleaveland, Professor Sarah |
Authors: | Halliday, J.E.B., Knobel, D.L., Allan, K.J., Bronsvoort, M., Handel, I., Agwanda, B., Cutler, S.J., Olack, B., Ahmed, A., Hartskeerl, R.A., Kariuki Njenga, M., Cleaveland, S., and Breiman, R.F. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
Journal Name: | American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene |
Publisher: | American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene |
ISSN: | 0002-9637 |
ISSN (Online): | 1476-1645 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2013 The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene |
First Published: | First published in American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 89(6):1095-1102 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher |
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