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Research
5.
Leptospires in field rats in and around the
laboratory animal facilities of Bangalore, India -
G. Vinodkumar, Y. B. Rajeshwari, Shivaraj , U.
Krishnamoorthy, Ansar Kamran
Vet World. 2011; 4(9): 410-412
doi: 10.5455/vetworld.2011.410-412
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to determine the
prevalence of leptospires in field rats in and
around laboratory animal facilities in Bangalore.
34 rats were trapped alive in and around the
laboratory animal facilities in Bangalore. Urine
and serum samples from theses field rats were
collected. Serum samples were tested for anti-leptospiral
antibodies by microscopic agglutination test,
while urine samples were subjected for dark field
microscopy and polymerase chain reaction to detect
the presence of leptospiral antigens. Serology
revealed the presence of antileptospiral
antibodies in 19 (61.29 percent) field rats and
dark field microscopy revealed the presence of
leptospiral
antigens in 3 (8.82 percent) and 6 (17.65 percent)
of urine samples of these field rats. Among the
serovars, Icterohaemorrhagiae was predominant
followed by Autumnalis and Pyrogens. Serology dark
field microscopy and polymerase chain reaction
reveals that field rats are major natural carriers
and shedders of leptospires.
Key words:
Leptospirs, Zoonosis, Laboratory Animal, Rodent,
Antibody, Antigen, Urine, Dark field microscopy,
PCR.
