Leptospirosis is a widespread but under-reported cause of morbidity and mortality. Global re-emergence
of leptospirosis has been associated with the growth of informal urban settlements in which rodents are thought to be
important reservoir hosts. Understanding the multi-host epidemiology of leptospirosis is essential to control and prevent
disease. A cross-sectional survey of rodents in the Kibera settlement in Nairobi, Kenya was conducted in September–
October 2008 to demonstrate the presence of pathogenic leptospires. A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction
showed that 41 (18.3%) of 224 rodents carried pathogenic leptospires in their kidneys, and sequence data identified
Leptospira interrogans and L. kirschneri in this population. Rodents of the genus Mus (37 of 185) were significantly more
likely to be positive than those of the genus Rattus (4 of 39; odds ratio = 15.03). Questionnaire data showed frequent
contact between humans and rodents in Kibera. This study emphasizes the need to quantify the public health impacts of
this neglected disease at this and other urban sites in Africa.
