Serological and molecular epidemiology of leptospirosis and the role of dogs as sentinel for human infection in Nigeria.

Objective: Prospective cross-sectional study of dogs in Nigeria to study leptospirosis, inferred to be endemic in all regions of the country by researchers. Aim is to generate empirical updated evidence of leptospiral infection and delineate serovars involved.

Methods: Study determined the sero-prevalence and infection rate in 342 dogs using sero-assays, culture isolation and novel qPCR.