Paper Title
Prevalence of Leptospirosis in Various Risk Groups of South Gujarat, India
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a severe spirochetal zoonosis in the world. It is an occupational hazard for people who work
outdoors or with animals, such as rice and sugar-cane field workers, farmers, veterinarians, dairy workers, forestry, sewer
workers, animal slaughtering and military personnel. This study was conducted with an objective of assessing the prevalence
of leptospirosis among the various risk groups of south Gujarat region of India. Blood sample of total 238 human patients
suspected with leptospirosis were collected and tested for isolation by culture. The prevalence was highest among Farm
workers 56%, Farmers 25%, and others 19 %, which includes herdsman, laborer etc. Even though, the prevalence of
leptospirosis is more among patients associated with agricultural activities, it is inevitable that indirect exposure by the
humans to the environment contaminated with urine of rodents, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, and wild animals infected
clinically and sub clinically by leptospirosis may also contribute to the cause.