Investigation of Seropositivity of Tularemia Brucellosis and Leptospirosis in Humans in Northern Cyprus

Abstract

More than half of the infectious diseases seen in humans are zoonotic. These diseases are still prevalent worldwide and affect humans as well as domestic and wild animals. In this study, it was aimed to determine the seropositivities of tularemia, brucellosis and leptospirosis in Northern Cyprus by conducting a cross-sectional study. The Microagglutination test (MAT) for Francisella tularensis, the Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT), Standard Agglutination test (SAT) and Complement Fixation test (CFT) for Brucella spp., and the ELISA test for Leptospira spp. were used for the investigation of the presence of antibodies in 430 human blood serum samples consecutively collected for the study. F tularensis seropositivity was 0.93% (4/430) and Brucella spp. seropositivity was determined as 0.23% (1/430), no positivity was found for leptospira species, and there were no cases of coinfection. Considering the limited number of serological studies for zoonoses in Northern Cyprus, our research appears to be the first report in which all three zoonotic infections were evaluated together in the region. These data reveal that these diseases are present on the island despite low sero-prevalence levels. It is thought that it is necessary to determine risk factors and take necessary measures with a 'one health' approach in the region, and to carry out more comprehensive studies for the detection and control of these diseases.