Response from N.B. Vanasco, M.D. Sequeira, G. Sequeira and H.D. Tarabla to H. Leblebicioglu and M. Sunbul

Abstract

We are in complete agreement that “PCR may be a valuable method for the detection of leptospires in animals for comparative studies” (Merien et al., 1995; Sunbul et al., 2001). However, in our paper, culture, inmunohistochemical and silver-stained (Warthin-Starry) results were discussed only in relationship to the high seroprevalence found in O. flavescens. Reasons for negative culture results in this species and A. azarae (that, by the way, are not “rats”) were just hypotheses, as it was clearly stated in our paper. Moreover, our aim was not only to find relationships between infection and environmental and rodent characteristics, but also to explore risk factors for past and current infections measured by means of antibody response.