Predominant Leptospira spp. serovars in serological diagnosis of canines and humans in the city of Uberlandia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Introduction: This study aimed to verify the occurrence of the principal Leptospira spp. serovars in domestic dogs and humans, notified in 2008, and the main risk factors in a geographic approach to the disease in the city of Uberlandia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: Canine blood serum samples (n=268) from different districts, belonging to the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Central Sanitary Districts of Uberlandia, were collected during an animal vaccination campaign against rabies, in August 2008. A geographic approach to the city was conducted, including evaluation of locations in peripheral areas, waste landfills, garbage collection, rodent notification, human leptospirosis cases and overflow flood areas, during 2008. Leptospirosis was diagnosed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), the gold standard for animal and human leptospirosis diagnosis. Results: Dogs mainly reacted to Autumnalis (34.2%) and Tarassovi (23.7%) serovars, while in humans, predominance of Tarassovi serovars occurred in the cases registered. The occurrence of these serovars could be related to an infection source common to both species, or dogs could be the infection source for humans. The Eastern Sanitary District showed a greater number of reactive dogs. Conclusions: Leptospirosis occurred in dogs and humans of the city of Uberlandia in 2008. This often neglected disease must be prevented because represents a public health risk and resembles other endemic illness like dengue.