The study compared the serological evidence of leptospirosis in 212 students in four schools (veterinary, dental, advanced nursing education and pharmacy) of the University of the West Indies (UWI), by testing for IgG immunoglobulins to Leptospira spp. using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Overall, of 212 students tested by the ELISA, 12 (5.7%) and 31 (14.6%) were positive and borderline, respectively. Amongst the 113 veterinary students 11 (9.7%) and 19 (16.8%) were seropositive and borderline respectively compared with nonveterinary students with corresponding values of 1 (1.0%) and 12 (12.1%). The frequency of serological evidence of leptospirosis by the ELISA was statistically significantly ( ; ) higher in veterinary students, 26.5% (30 of 113) than in nonveterinary students, 13.1% (13 of 99). By the MAT, the seropositivity for leptospirosis was similar for veterinary students, 7.1% (8 of 113) and nonveterinary students, 7.1% (7 of 99). For veterinary students, the prevalent infecting serovar was Icterohaemorrhagiae Copenhageni while amongst nonveterinary students, the prevalent serovar was Australis Rachmati. Being a veterinary student was the only risk factor that was significantly associated with Leptospira infection indicating that veterinary students need to be cognizant and to practise preventive measures for leptospirosis. 1. Introduction Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis with global distribution, although it has been documented in developing and developed as well as temperate and tropical countries [1, 2]. This disease occurs predominantly as a subclinical infection although cases of clinical disease with numerous nonpathognomonic signs and symptoms have been reported [1–4]. It is therefore responsible for morbidities and mortalities worldwide [2, 5, 6]. It has been established that rodents are primary reservoirs for human and animal infections by Leptospira spp. which is one of the reasons that the prevalence of leptospirosis is higher in tropical environments with high rainfall and humidity and prevalent poor sanitary conditions which support the proliferation of rodents [7–9]. The distribution of the primary reservoir and the ability of the pathogen to infect animals (livestock, wildlife, pet animals, and others) have made leptospirosis an occupational disease [9–11]. High risk individuals include livestock farmers, animal handlers, veterinarians, slaughter house workers, sewerage or environmental sanitation workers, sugar cane, and rice field workers, compared to members of
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