Transmission and occurrence of Leptospira infection in humans and livestock in Uganda
Contact Person: Salome Dürr
Duration: 2020 - 2023
Leptospira refers to a genus of spirochete bacteria including pathogenic species that cause a zoonotic disease called leptospirosis. In Uganda, Leptospira seroprevalence has only been reported among out-patients, cattle and dogs. Authors of these studies hypothesize that human-animal interactions play an important role for human leptospirosis. While vaccination is available as a control measure for leptospirosis in livestock and dogs, its effectiveness depends on the congruence of the vaccine with the circulating serotypes. However, published data on Leptospira prevalence in other livestock reservoirs like pigs, goats, sheep, and environmental sources remain missing. Therefore, drivers and pathways for Leptospira transmission and risk factors for human infections in Uganda are not yet clearly understood. In this regard, slaughter facilities of all livestock species present a unique opportunity to study disease transmission and infection at a human-animal-environmental interface.
In this project, cross sectional studies will be conducted at major livestock slaughter facilities in five geographical regions of Uganda, to determine the occurrence, risk factors and potential transmission pathways for Leptospira infections. Blood samples will be taken from slaughterhouse workers, random members of the general human population and slaughter livestock. Additionally, kidney samples of livestock and small mammals trapped at the abattoirs will be analysed. Leptospira prevalence and circulating species will be determined by microscopic agglutination testing realtime PCR and secY sequence typing. Potential pathways and drivers for Leptospira transmission will be explored using statistical modelling.
This is a collaborative project with the International Livestock Research Institute
