Environmental and biological determinants for the prevalence of leptospirosis among wild small mammal hosts, island of Hawaii.

From October 1969 to January 31, 1973, an island-wide small mammal survey was conducted by the Hawaii State Department of Health in Hilo, Hawaii. A total of 2,982 rodents and mongooses from East and West Hawaii were cage-trapped and were examined by serological and cultural methods for evidence of leptospirosis. Of the 2,957 animals tested, 899 (30.4%) were culturally or serologically positive and 2058 (69.6%) were negative for evidence of leptospiral infection. Three leptospiral serotypes were isolated (L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. ballum, and L. sejroe). The incidence among animal species was compared with earlier studies on this island.