Human leptospirosis in an area of central Italy: results from a serological survey.
The results of a serosurvey for leptospiral antibodies in a random sample of healthy subjects are reported. The study was carried out in an area where a waterborne outbreak of leptospirosis, due to leptospires of serogroup Australis, had occurred a month before. Sera were tested with the microagglutination technique. Leptospiral agglutinins were found in 13.8% of tested subjects, mostly in adult females. The highest prevalence rate was observed for serovar lora belonging to serogroup Australis. The leptospires of this group have a relevant spread in the study area in keeping with other surveys carried out in Italy.
Di Stanislao
F
F
Institute of Hygiene, School of Medicine, University of Ancona.
Maffei
C
C
Strusi
P
P
Lupidi
R
R
Renga
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007921:Leptospira interrogans / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012703:Serotyping; D014895:Weil Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial