Introduction
The incidence of canine leptospirosis in Brazil needs to be assessed
Methods
The same dogs in southern Brazil were sampled over two years to determine the prevalence, incidence and association of canine leptospirosis with various risk factors.
Results
In 2009, the prevalence was 33 (14.4%) of 228 dogs, with a predominance of serovar Canicola (33.4%). In 2010, 90 dogs were re-evaluated (the remaining dogs were lost to deaths, address changes and donations), and the prevalence was found to be 35 (38.9%) of 90, with the predominant serovar being Icterohaemorrhagiae (51.4%). Moreover, the incidence was 26 of 90 (28.9%), and the disease was statistically associated with age (2009) and street access (2010).
Conclusions
Our findings revealed instability in the dog population and age to be relevant risk factors for canine leptospirosis.
Serology; Prevalence; Dogs