S Samsudin1, S N S Sakinah1, O Malina1, B A Norliza1, M A Noh1, A Fairuz2, T Z M T Jamaluddin1, R A Hamat1, W M Zahiruddin3, S Mohd Nazri3, S Sukeri3, B D Aziah3, I Zawaha4, A W Zainudin5, N A Munirah1, M N Desa6, V Neela1, S N Masri1. 1. Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. 2. Bacteriology Unit, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 3. Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia. 4. Health Promotion Unit, Penang State Health Department, Penang, Malaysia. 5. Health Department of Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 6. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The high prevalence of leptospirosis in humans is of great public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies and distribution of serovars, and to assess the usefulness of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening method for leptospiral antibodies in a high-risk healthy community. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 231 market workers and food handlers in wet markets and food premises from two localities in central Malaysia. Respondents' background information was obtained using a questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for leptospiral antibodies using ELISA and microscopic agglutination test (MAT). RESULTS: Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among healthy workers was 46.3%. Detection of seropositivity was higher by MAT (46%) than ELISA (15%). We observed high seropositivity among local workers (49%), food handlers (49.5%), females (60.8%) and those aged 34 years and older (46.3%). Local strain LEP175 was the predominant serovar, followed by WHO strain Patoc. CONCLUSION: Overall seroprevalence among healthy food handlers and market workers was high in this study. The workplace places susceptible individuals at risk of leptospirosis.
OBJECTIVE: The high prevalence of leptospirosis in humans is of great public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies and distribution of serovars, and to assess the usefulness of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening method for leptospiral antibodies in a high-risk healthy community. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 231 market workers and food handlers in wet markets and food premises from two localities in central Malaysia. Respondents' background information was obtained using a questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for leptospiral antibodies using ELISA and microscopic agglutination test (MAT). RESULTS: Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among healthy workers was 46.3%. Detection of seropositivity was higher by MAT (46%) than ELISA (15%). We observed high seropositivity among local workers (49%), food handlers (49.5%), females (60.8%) and those aged 34 years and older (46.3%). Local strain LEP175 was the predominant serovar, followed by WHO strain Patoc. CONCLUSION: Overall seroprevalence among healthy food handlers and market workers was high in this study. The workplace places susceptible individuals at risk of leptospirosis.
Authors: Mas Harithulfadhli Agus Ab Rahman; Suhaily Mohd Hairon; Rukman Awang Hamat; Tengku Zetty Maztura Tengku Jamaluddin; Mohd Nazri Shafei; Norazlin Idris; Malina Osman; Surianti Sukeri; Zainudin A Wahab; Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohammad; Zawaha Idris; Aziah Daud Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-07-03 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Noramira Nozmi; Suhailah Samsudin; Surianti Sukeri; Mohd Nazri Shafei; Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohd; Zawaha Idris; Wan Nor Arifin; Norazlin Idris; Siti Nor Sakinah Saudi; Nurul Munirah Abdullah; Zainudin Abdul Wahab; Tengku Zetty Maztura Tengku Jamaluddin; Hejar Abd Rahman; Siti Norbaya Masri; Aziah Daud; Malina Osman; Rukman Awang Hamat Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-04-06 Impact factor: 3.390