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Investigation of spatio‐temporal clusters of positive leptospirosis polymerase chain reaction test results in dogs in the United States, 2009 to 2016

Authors :
Amanda M. Smith
Jason W. Stull
Michelle D. Evason
J. Scott Weese
Thomas E. Wittum
Donald Szlosek
Andréia Gonçalves Arruda
Source :
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Vol 35, Iss 3, Pp 1355-1360 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Wiley, 2021.

Abstract

Abstract Background Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of concern and an investigation of recent spatio‐temporal trends of leptospirosis in dogs in the United States is needed. Leptospira PCR testing has become increasingly used in veterinary clinical medicine and these data might provide information on recent trends of disease occurrence. Objectives To identify and describe clusters of PCR‐positive Leptospira test results in dogs in the United States. Animals Leptospira real‐time PCR test results from dogs (n = 40 118) in the United States from IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., between 2009 and 2016 were included in the analysis. Methods In this retrospective study, spatio‐temporal clusters for a real‐time PCR‐positive test were identified using the space‐time permutation scan statistic and the centroid of the zip code reported for each test. A maximum spatial window of 20% of the population at risk, and a maximum temporal window of 6 months were used. Results Seven statistically significant space‐time clusters of Leptospira real‐time PCR‐positive test results were identified across the United States: 1 each located within the states of Arizona (2016), California (2014‐2015), Florida (2010), South Carolina (2015), and 1 each located within the south‐central region (2015), midwest region (2014), and northeast region (2011). Clusters ranged from 3 to 108 dogs and were identified during all years under study, except 2009, 2012, and 2013. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The spatial and temporal components of leptospirosis in dogs in this study are similar to those in previous work. However, clusters were identified in new areas, demonstrating the complex epidemiology of this disease.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19391676 and 08916640
Volume :
35
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.fa248875da9a475ea53bc0044f0b9301
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16060