Serological prevalence of pathogenic leptospira in rodents from urban setting in Kuala Lumpur / Nurulrabiatul Adawiyyah Awang

A cross sectional study on serological prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira bacteria in rodents from urban setting was done in Kuala Lumpur to identify pathogenic Leptospira bacteria in rodents from three selected area in Kuala Lumpur. All captured rodent (n=62) were identified for species identification by using Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines (2009). The blood samples from rodents were collected by cardiac puncture and the blood serum were stored at -20 °C until they were tested by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). The serum-antigen mixtures were examined under a dark-field microscope for agglutination. The prevalence species found from this study comprised of Rattus norvegicus (58.1%) (n=36) and Rattus raftus (41.9o/o) (n=26). R. rattus (58%) species was dominant in Pudu area compared to R. norvegicus (42%). However, R. norvegicus was more dominant in Raja bot area and Dato Keramat area compared to R. rattus. Percentage of R.norvegicus in Raja Bot area was 71% and R.rattus 29%. While in Dato Keramat area, percentage of R.norvegicus was 80% and R.rattus 20%. The study results showed that the prevalence of serum positive titer against leptospiral antigen was 9.70/ (n=6). The prevalence rate of R. Rattus that were positive with leptospira was about 11.5% (n=3) while R. norvegicus was 8.3% (n=3). All serum samples (n=6, 100%) were positive with Leptospira Canicola. The results from the analysis showed a p-value = 0.689 which was not significant (p>0.05). There was no significant association (p>0.05) based on the propotion of R. rattus that carried Leptospira bacteria compared to R. norvegicus. The odds ratio analysis showed that the Leptospira antigen in R.rattus was 1.435 times higher than R.norvegicus. ”