Seroprevalence of and risk factors for leptospirosis in the City of Manaus, State of Amazonas, Brazil

Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium of the genus Leptospira. This study aimed at investigating the seroprevalence of and risk factors for leptospirosis in humans in Manaus, State of Amazonas. Interviews were performed, and 1,000 blood serum samples were examined using a microscopic agglutination test. Forty-three cases were positive; there were 10 serotypes, with coagglutination in 8 cases. The most frequently occurring serotypes were Icterohaemorrhagiae (20.7%), Cynopteri (20.7%), Australis (18.8%), and Copenhageni (16.9%), and the Midwest (54.7%) and South (23.8%) had the most cases; these areas lack basic sanitation. Disease occurrence might be reduced through improved basic infrastructural conditions.