Leptospires in Rattus spp. on Barbados |
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| Authors: | K D Taylor L H Turner J D Everard |
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| Affiliation: | Leptospira Laboratory, St Michael, Barbados. |
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| Abstract: | Among 138 Rattus norvegicus and 98 R. rattus trapped on Barbados in 1964-65 and examined for evidence of leptospiral infection, seropositivity prevalence rates were similar (34 and 30%, respectively), but isolation/dark field microscopy rates were higher in R. norvegicus (27%) than R. rattus (15%). R. norvegicus carried mainly serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae and R. rattus mainly serogroup Autumnalis. These two serogroups cause 90% of severe human leptospirosis on the island. |
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