Prevalence of Leptospira spp. in Urine of Rats (Rattus spp.) in an Urban Village in the Philippines using LAMP and PCR Assays

Abstract— Rats are recognized as key reservoirs and potential transmission sources of leptospirosis. Despite this, limited data exist on the prevalence of Leptospira spp. among rats in urban villages of the Philippines. This study aimed to assess the presence of Leptospira spp. in rats from an urban village in Benguet Province. Urine samples from 50 rats were analyzed using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays. Results showed a Leptospira spp. detection rate of 30% using LAMP and 18% using PCR. DNA sequencing confirmed the presence of Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohemorrhagiae, suggesting that rats may play a significant role in leptospirosis transmission in the study area. Diagnostic performance analysis revealed that LAMP and PCR had substantial agreement, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.677. Compared to PCR, LAMP demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 85.37%. These findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring of rodent populations in urban settings and highlight the potential utility of LAMP as a rapid screening tool for leptospiral infections.