[Seroprevalence of leptospirosis and associated factors in workers of the urban cleaning service of the Municipality of Asuncion, Paraguay].

INTRODUCTION

Leptospirosis is a serious infectious disease that has been linked to occupational activities such as farmers, sewer workers, garbage collectors, butchers and veterinarians. It is acquired through contact with major reservoirs like rodents, pets, or the environment contaminated by their urine. In Paraguay, there are no published reports on the seroprevalence of leptospirosis related to work activity.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the seroprevalence and factors associated with transmission of leptospirosis in urban sanitation workers.

METHODOLOGY: Descriptive transversal study. The study included workers from the Department of Urban Cleanliness of the City of Asuncion, who had completed at least one month on the job and who agreed to particípate in the study. Sampling was stratified and proportional to the number of workers. After informed consent was obtained, participants were surveyed and a blood sample was taken for detection of Leptospira IgG antibodies by ELISA.

RESULTS

Leptospirosis seroprevalence was 8.6% (29/339), all positive cases were male and prevalence was statistically higher in workers of the collection area than in those of other work areas.

CONCLUSION

We found a lower than expected seroprevalence. However, conditions observed at work and at home are conducive to transmission of infection. We recommend the improvement of prevention strategies and health promotion in this population.