Research the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in mine workers in Zonguldak region

Background: Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses. It is caused by infection with pathogenic spirochetes of the Leptospira genus. Human patients usually present with a non-specific self-limiting febrile illness; however, 5-10% of cases develop severe forms of the disease such as Weil's disease (which is characterized by jaundice, acute renal failure, hemorrhagic diathesis) and severe pulmonary hemorrhagic syndrome. Aim of our study is to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in the coal mine workers in Zonguldak. Methods: 5 cc blood sample was taken on a voluntary basis from 185 employees of mine workers from the 5 different coal mine depending on Turkey Hard Coal Authority in Zonguldak, from June 2013 to July 2013 and the following data were recorded for each participant; age, residential area, year of study in the mine, weekly working hours in the mine, currently working in another occupation, previously working in another occupation, seeing the mouse in the mine and the frequency of seeing, seasons in which mice are the most common, seeing mice dropping in the mine, seeing the mouse-eaten goods in the mine, mouse in contact with food and beverages in the mine, hand cleaning in the mine. Anti-Leptospira antibody levels with the reference test method microscopic agglutination test (MAT) in serum samples was detected. Results: In this regional seroprevalence study, seropositivity was detected in any of the serum samples of the mine workers studied with MAT, who are at risk group for leptospirosis. With questionnaire, demographic data about miners have been introduced. 100% of the workers were male with a mean age of 36±6 years. Underground work in mines, the average was 11±6. The average weekly working hours underground was 44 ± 6. 18.9% of workers residing in the village, 50.3% in the district, 30.8% in the city has been detected. 7.0% of mine workers are working in the farming, 2.7% in the fishing, 0.5% in the shipping and 0.5% in the livestock. 13.5% of workers had worked in the farming, 3.8% in the fishing, 1.1% in the shipping, 2.7% in the livestock . 82.7% of workers seeing mouse in each day in the mines has been detected. 65.4% of workers were seen mouse at the same rate in all seasons, 20.0% most of the summer. About contamination of the environment 35.7% of workers said that seeing mouse droppings in the mine. Taken to the mine of clothing, food and beverage containers seen in the mouse-eaten, was mentioned by 68.1% of the workers. 55.7% of workers were stated that the mouse contacted with food and drinks in the mine. Food stored by 91.9% of the workers in pochette/purse paper in time for dinner in the mine was detected. 76.2% of workers in the mine cleaning his hand, 94.3% of them were cleaning hands only with water was detected. Conclusions: In our study, serum samples of the miners tested with 8 leptospira serotypes that are routinely used in the MAT in Turkey. Despite all of the situations and the results that pose a risk for leptospirosis, showed above, seropositivity was not detected in terms of leptospirosis in the serum samples of the miners.