ABSTRACT
Leptospirosis has long been a sporadic zoonosis in Liping County.This study aims to explore the risk factors of leptospirosis infection in general population,and the role rodents play in transmission by an expanded investigation of two deceased cases.Serology survey and demographic investigation were carried out among the general population of two epidemic areas where two deseased cases had been reported,and one extended area where no leptospirosis cases had been diagnosed.Local rodents' kidney samples were collected for Leptospira isolation.In total 44 people (23.4％) tested positive by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for four strains of Leptospira.Seropositive rate of the extended area was significantly higher (53.3 ％,24/45) than epidemic area (14.0％,20/143).Positive rate increased with age.Other factors such as occupation,gender showed no significance.The proportion of Apodemus agrarius in the captured rodents and the total germ-carrying rates showed no significant difference in two areas.Long-term rodent carrier surveillance is critical to provide valuable information and locate high risk areas,facilitating prophylactic measures.Vaccination was recommended in high risk areas if economical feasibility and demand were proved.