title: Prevalence and risk factors for Leptospira exposure in New Zealand veterinarians.
abstract: This study assessed seroprevalence and risk factors for Leptospira (serovars Hardjo, Pomona, Ballum, Copenhageni, Tarassovi) exposure in New Zealand veterinarians. Veterinarians (n = 277) at one of two conferences were voluntarily enrolled and blood samples taken. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) titres ⩾48 were considered seropositive. Fourteen veterinarians (5·1%, 95% confidence interval 2·8-8·3) were seropositive to Leptospira. Home slaughter of cattle or pigs were significant risk factors for Leptospira exposure. There were no clear relationships between the animal species handled at work and serostatus. However, veterinarians spending a 'mid to high' proportion of their time (>50% to ⩽75%) with pets had higher odds of being seropositive than those not working with pets. A borderline positive association (P = 0·09) was observed between seropositivity and clinical influenza-like illness (⩾3 days off work) in the 18 months before the study. Assuming causality, this suggests that 8·3% of these cases may be attributed to Leptospira exposure.
authors: EpiCentre; Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biological Sciences; Massey University; Palmerston North,New Zealand.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Sanhueza
authors: EpiCentre; Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biological Sciences; Massey University; Palmerston North,New Zealand.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Heuer
authors: Institute of Veterinary,Animal and Biological Sciences,Massey University,Palmerston North,New Zealand.
authors: P R
authors: PR
authors: Wilson
authors: mEpiLab; Infectious Disease Research Centre (IDReC); Hopkirk Research Institute; Institute of Veterinary,Animal and Biomedical Sciences,Massey University,Palmerston North,New Zealand.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Benschop
authors: mEpiLab; Infectious Disease Research Centre (IDReC); Hopkirk Research Institute; Institute of Veterinary,Animal and Biomedical Sciences,Massey University,Palmerston North,New Zealand.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Collins-Emerson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002417:Cattle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013552:Swine; D018634:Veterinarians; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
keywords: Emerging infections; epidemiology; estimating; leptospirosis; prevalence of disease; zoonoses