Open AccessRisk factors associated with antibodies to leptospires in inner-city residents of Baltimore: a protective role for cats.
Author(s) -
James E. Childs,
Brian S. Schwartz,
Thomas G. Ksiazek,
Robert Graham,
James W. LeDuc,
Gregory E. Glass
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.82.4.597
Subject(s) - odds ratio , medicine , confidence interval , demography , antibody , odds , epidemiology , race (biology) , risk factor , environmental health , gerontology , immunology , logistic regression , biology , botany , sociology
Leptospiral antibody prevalence was 16% in residents of Baltimore. Seropositivity was associated with age, gender, race, and bird ownership, reduced the antibody risk associated with age and race from odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 3.3 (2.0, 5.5) and 3.3 (1.1, 9.3), respectively, to the baseline level. These data establish the high prevalence of leptospiral antibody in Baltimore and suggest a protective role for cats in reducing the risk of human infection.