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American Journal of Public Health logoLink to American Journal of Public Health
. 1992 Apr;82(4):597–599. doi: 10.2105/ajph.82.4.597

Risk factors associated with antibodies to leptospires in inner-city residents of Baltimore: a protective role for cats.

J E Childs 1, B S Schwartz 1, T G Ksiazek 1, R R Graham 1, J W LeDuc 1, G E Glass 1
PMCID: PMC1694107  PMID: 1546785

Abstract

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.

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Selected References

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