Sero-survey of Leptospirosis in Rodents, Dogs and Cattle in Selected Areas of Tanzania

Authors

  • R.S. Machang’u Sokoine University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 3110, Morogoro, Tanzania
  • G. Mgode Sokoine University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 3110, Morogoro, Tanzania
  • D.G. Mpanduji Sokoine University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 3110, Morogoro, Tanzania

Keywords:

Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, hardjo, microagglutination

Abstract

Sera from 460 rodents, 207 dogs, and 374 cattle collected from different regions of Tanzania were examined by the microagglutination (MAT) assay for antibodies to Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, L. canicola and L. hardjo. Overall, 2.1% of rodent sera were positive at titres of 1:160 or higher to L. icterohaemrorhagiae. Thirty eight and 0.5% dog sera were reactive to L. icterohaemorrhagiae and L.canicola respectively, and 5.6% of bovine sera were reactive to L. hardjo. These results show that rodents and domestic animals are probably important carriers of Leptospiras. To our knowledge, this is the first documented study of Leptospirosis in Tanzania.

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Published

30-09-1997

How to Cite

Machang’u, R., Mgode, G. and Mpanduji, D. (1997) “Sero-survey of Leptospirosis in Rodents, Dogs and Cattle in Selected Areas of Tanzania”, Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 17(3), pp. 72–75. Available at: https://tvj2.sua.ac.tz/vet2/index.php/TVJ/article/view/475 (Accessed: 30 April 2026).

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (1997)

Section

RESEARCH ARTICLES

License

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