Leptospirosis is a neglected emerging infectious disease with high burden in Africa. Major
reservoirs of leptospirosis are rodents and other small mammals. Studies of leptospirosis in bats and the
extent to which they contribute to its transmission to humans and domestic animals in Tanzania are
lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of leptospirosis and local
Leptospira
serovars in bat colonies found around human settlements in Morogoro, Tanzania. In this study, mist nets
were used to capture bats at Sokoine University of Agriculture main campus, whereas bats roosting on
trees at Nunge A, Nunge B and Mwere primary school were captured manually. Leptospirosis was
determined using the gold standard microscopic agglutination test for determination of
Leptospira
antibodies. Six live
Leptospira serovars including local
Leptospira serovar Sokoine, Kenya and Lora reported
in rodents and domestic animals in Tanzania, and reference serovars Hebdomadis, Canicola and Pomona
were used in the study. Leptospirosis prevalence was high in bats (19.4%) and higher within colonies
(27.3%).
Leptospira serovar Sokoine was more prevalent (19.4%) compared to serovars Kenya (2.8%) and
Lora (2.8%). Serovars Pomona, Canicola and Hebdomadis were not detected in bats. In conclusion, bats are
potential reservoir and transmitter of
Leptospira serovar Sokoine, hence should be prevented to access
houses and roosting in human settlements to avoid public health risks. Routine diagnosis of human
leptospirosis is needed in Tanzania as evidence show a high prevalence of
Leptospira in reservoir hosts
interacting with humans.
