Risk factors associated with antibodies to leptospires in inner-city residents of Baltimore: a protective role for cats.
Leptospiral antibody prevalence was 16% in residents of Baltimore. Seropositivity was associated with age, gender, race, and bird ownership, reduced the antibody risk associated with age and race from odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 3.3 (2.0, 5.5) and 3.3 (1.1, 9.3), respectively, to the baseline level. These data establish the high prevalence of leptospiral antibody in Baltimore and suggest a protective role for cats in reducing the risk of human infection.
Childs
J E
JE
Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Md 21205.
Schwartz
B S
BS
Ksiazek
T G
TG
Graham
R R
RR
LeDuc
J W
JW
Glass
G E
GE
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D001717:Birds; D002415:Cats; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D051381:Rats; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014895:Weil Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G