A seroepidemiological survey was realized with environmental sanitation workers of Pelotas-RS city, Brazil, to examine the frequency and to investigate risk factors for leptospira infection. Two groups of workers were selected due to serological status, divided into groups of 34 subjects with positive serology, cases; and a group of 115 subjects with negative serology, the later one being the control group. Demografics variables, occupational, behaviors and environmental in work places and home were investigated by a questionaire. The frequency of anti-leptospiral agglutinins was 10.36% (n=386). The risk factors detected were: geografic place of work, the presence of oppened drain, swine creation and the presence of 3-4 animals at home, and the protection factor in the presence of internal sanitation of residence. This information may be useful to prevent leptospirosis in environmental sanitation workers.
leptospirosis; environmental sanitation; zoonosis; epidemiology
