Griebsch C, Kirkwood N, Norris J M, Ward M P
Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Aust Vet J. 2025 Mar;103(3):106-111. doi: 10.1111/avj.13411. Epub 2025 Jan 12.
This study aimed to identify and compare risk factors associated with canine leptospirosis and Leptospira seropositivity in New South Wales, Australia. Seventy-nine canine cases of confirmed leptospirosis (clinical cases) and 16 healthy dogs seropositive to Leptospira (seropositive cases) were included in the study; these were separately compared to 394 healthy dogs seronegative to Leptospira (controls) in at-risk areas. A questionnaire investigated rat contact, stagnant water, dog park access and household number of dogs and cats. Associations between these factors, signalment and risk of leptospirosis or Leptospira seropositivity were screened using Pearson Chi-Square test and logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios of association. Significantly associated with both leptospirosis risk and seropositivity risk was rat contact (P < 0.01) which increased the risk 4.3- and 4.5-fold, respectively. Other factors significantly associated with leptospirosis risk were breed (P < 0.01) and age (P < 0.01). Being a herding dog or Terrier increased leptospirosis risk 27.2-fold and 8-fold, respectively and being a young adult dog increased leptospirosis risk 3.9-fold. Frequenting dog parks decreased leptospirosis risk (OR 0.12). In contrast, no other significant risk factors were identified for seropositivity risk. Exposure to Leptospira through contact with reservoir hosts resulted in seropositivity as well as clinical leptospirosis. However, host factors like breed and age seem to be important factors in determining if exposure results in clinical disease. Increased urbanisation and landscape fragmentation could result in increased exposure to reservoir hosts. Environmental sampling is needed to identify sources of infection. Risk mitigation includes reducing contact with reservoir hosts and contaminated environments and increased pest control.
本研究旨在识别和比较澳大利亚新南威尔士州犬类钩端螺旋体病及钩端螺旋体血清阳性相关的风险因素。该研究纳入了79例确诊钩端螺旋体病的犬类病例（临床病例）和16例钩端螺旋体血清阳性的健康犬（血清阳性病例）；将这些病例分别与394例处于高危地区的钩端螺旋体血清阴性的健康犬（对照）进行比较。通过问卷调查了解大鼠接触情况、积水情况、是否进入狗公园以及家庭中犬猫数量。使用Pearson卡方检验筛选这些因素、特征与钩端螺旋体病风险或钩端螺旋体血清阳性风险之间的关联，并采用逻辑回归估计关联的比值比。大鼠接触与钩端螺旋体病风险和血清阳性风险均显著相关（P < 0.01），分别使风险增加4.3倍和4.5倍。与钩端螺旋体病风险显著相关的其他因素包括品种（P < 0.01）和年龄（P < 0.01）。作为牧羊犬或梗犬分别使钩端螺旋体病风险增加27.2倍和8倍，作为年轻成年犬使钩端螺旋体病风险增加3.9倍。经常去狗公园可降低钩端螺旋体病风险（比值比为0.12）。相比之下，未发现与血清阳性风险相关的其他显著风险因素。通过与储存宿主接触感染钩端螺旋体会导致血清阳性以及临床钩端螺旋体病。然而，品种和年龄等宿主因素似乎是决定接触是否会导致临床疾病的重要因素。城市化进程加快和景观破碎化可能导致与储存宿主接触增加。需要进行环境采样以确定感染源。风险缓解措施包括减少与储存宿主和受污染环境的接触以及加强害虫防治。
