Urban leptospirosis in Africa: A cross-sectional survey of Leptospira infection in rodents in the Kibera urban settlement, Nairobi, Kenya

Jo E B Halliday; Darryn L Knobel; Kathryn J Allan; B Mark de C Bronsvoort; Ian Handel; Bernard Agwanda; Sally J Cutler; Beatrice Olack; Ahmed Ahmed; Rudy A Hartskeerl; M Kariuki Njenga; Sarah Cleaveland; Robert F Breiman

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.13-0415

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Urban leptospirosis in Africa: A cross-sectional survey of Leptospira infection in rodents in the Kibera urban settlement, Nairobi, Kenya

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Urban leptospirosis in Africa: A cross-sectional survey of Leptospira infection in rodents in the Kibera urban settlement, Nairobi, Kenya

Jo E B Halliday, Darryn L Knobel, Kathryn J Allan, B Mark de C Bronsvoort, Ian Handel, Bernard Agwanda, Sally J Cutler, Beatrice Olack, Ahmed Ahmed, Rudy A Hartskeerl, …

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, Vol.89(6), pp.1095-1102

12/2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.13-0415

Handle:

https://hdl.handle.net/2376/115732

PMCID: PMC3854886

PMID: 24080637

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Abstract

Multivariate Analysis

Kenya - epidemiology

Phylogeny

Leptospira - genetics

Rodent Diseases - microbiology

Surveys and Questionnaires

Disease Reservoirs

Leptospirosis - microbiology

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Rodent Diseases - epidemiology

Leptospira - isolation & purification

Cross-Sectional Studies

Rodentia

Leptospirosis - veterinary

Leptospirosis - epidemiology

DNA, Bacterial - genetics

Leptospira interrogans - genetics

Leptospira interrogans - isolation & purification

Mice

Urban Health

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.

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Title: Urban leptospirosis in Africa: A cross-sectional survey of Leptospira infection in rodents in the Kibera urban settlement, Nairobi, Kenya
Creators: Jo E B Halliday
Darryn L Knobel
Kathryn J Allan
B Mark de C Bronsvoort
Ian Handel
Bernard Agwanda
Sally J Cutler
Beatrice Olack
Ahmed Ahmed
Rudy A Hartskeerl
M Kariuki Njenga
Sarah Cleaveland
Robert F Breiman
Publication Details: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, Vol.89(6), pp.1095-1102
Academic Unit: Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health
Publisher: United States
Grant note: 081828/B/06/Z / Wellcome Trust G0902417 / Medical Research Council R01 TW009237 / FIC NIH HHS G0902417 94378 / Medical Research Council 096400/Z/11/Z / Wellcome Trust BB/J010367/1 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Identifiers: 99900547748001842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article