Objective: To survey the prevalence rate of canine leptospirosis in the Tehran area.

Conclusions:

1. The prevalence rate of reacted dogs examined by IFA (7.7%) technique was almost the same rate as examined by MAT (7. 6%) at 1:400 dilution of serum samples.

2. All of the three leptospiral serotypes revealed the equal sensitivity and specificity rates at 1:100 dilution of serum samples in both MAT and IFA technique for canicola (9. 0%, 9.3%), icterohemorrhagiae (8.7%, 8.7%) and grippotyphosa (4.7%, 4.7%) serotypes, respectively.

3. It seems that IFA technique is more sensitive and reliable than MAT for diagnosis of canine leptospirosis in daily clinical practice.

4. To prevent and control of leptospirosis as a potential zoonotic disease in Iran, using potent vaccines against three major serotypes of canicola, icterohemorrhagiae and grippotyphosa in all urban and farmer dogs (older than 3 months) is highly recommended.

5. Research should be continued on canine leptospiosis in different provinces of Iran in order to isolate the endemic serotypes of leptospiral organisms for preparing the original and polyvalent vaccine against local leptospiral serotypes in dogs of Iran.

This work was supported by the Research Council of the University of Tehran.