Molecular Detection of

introductionLeptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by a bacteria of the genus MATERIAL AND

methodsWe conducted a descriptive and exploratory epidemiological and molecular study in Mozambique Island city in 2015. Six neighborhoods, comprising 30 households each were randomly selected. People from the selected 180 households were interviewed regarding their awareness of the disease, the presence of rodents in their houses, chemicals used to eliminate them, sewage disposal, water supply system, and other key issues related to the disease. In each neighborhood we trapped 10 rodents for morphometric study to identify their species and for molecular isolation of

resultsOf the 180 participants 92 (51%) reported having heard of leptospirosis; 107 (59%) have had the disease; 151 (83%) reported the existence of rats in their house; 100 (56%) had latrines; 118 (66%) used chemicals to kill the rats; 102 (57%) used well water and 114 (63%) used trash containers. The most prevalent rodent species captured was

conclusionThis is the first study in Mozambique to identify the presence of pathogenic species of Leptospira using molecular tools. Leptospirosis risk factors in Mozambique Island city are rodent's infestation, limited disease awareness, lack of access to clean water, insufficient resources for waste collection, greater clustering of households, poor sanitation environment and degradation of living conditions. Pathogenic