A Survey on Leptospirosis in Persons Referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Astara

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a bacterial and zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species. Gilan province is an endemic region for this disease due to its humid climate with heavy rainfall. The aim of this study was serological diagnosis of leptospirosis in persons referred to Astara central laboratory . Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of human leptospirosis was conducted during February-May 2015, 98 random serum samples were collected from persons referred to Astara central laboratory of Shahid Beheshti Hospital. All serum samples were serologically tested by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) using live antigens representing Leptospira interrogans serrovars: Gripotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Hardjo and Pomona. Results: The result of this study showed that the rate of positive reaction against serovar, positive MAT was found in rural housewives between 60 and 69 years old and the highest serological titre was measured to be1:200. Conclusion: It was concluded that the low prevalence of Leptospira.spp in Astara city could be attributed to the increased awareness of transmission routes of this disease, improved hygiene and sanitation practices, avoidance of contaminated water and mechanization of farming.