Leptospirosis is an endemic disease in Latin America, caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. It is considered one of the main causes responsible for the negative economic impact on global livestock by causing reproductive problems. The research aimed to determine the prevalence of leptospirosis in cattle, sheep, and goats at consorted rearing in the micro-region of Teresina, Piauí state, northeastern Brazil, as well as to identify prevalent serovars and risk factors associated with seroprevalence. Serum samples were analyzed in 336 sheep, 292 goats, and 253 cattle using microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Overall, 378 samples were positive to MAT, with seroprevalence of 42.9%. The prevalences in cattle, sheep, and goats were 50.5, 40.5, and 34.6%, respectively. All herds presented at least one seropositive animal; the Hardjo/Wolffi serovar association was the most common in cattle and Icterohaemorrhagiae in goats and sheep. Beef production (OR = 4.9), cattle herd over 35 animals (OR = 4.0), feeding on pasture (OR = 6.4), weir and/or stream as water source (OR = 2.1), and no veterinary services (OR = 2.9) were risk factors for cattle infection. For sheep, intensive management system (OR = 5.3), suspended slatted facilities (OR = 2.2), more than 20 sheep in reproductive age (OR = 1.9), and absence of deworming (OR = 3.5) were the risk factors, while for goats, the identified risk factors were sheep herd over 52 animals (OR = 1.9) and no veterinary services (OR = 1.8). We conclude that the infection was spreading in consorted herds in this region. Thus, it would be interesting and important to conduct educative activities to farmers on the economic impacts of this disease and the need of preventive and control strategies mainly focused on sanitary measures and animal handling.

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Summary The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and to identify the risk factors associated with Leptospira spp. infection in technified pig farms in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. To compose sample for the prevalence study, 342 pigs were used (312 sows and 30 boars) proceeding from seven swine farms distributed in five districts of the state of Alagoas, Brazil. The infection’s serological diagnosis was performed by microscopic agglutination test. The risk factors analysis was performed using research questionnaires consisting of objective questions related to the breeder, the general characteristics of the property, and the productive, reproductive and sanitary management. Prevalence of 16.1% (55/342) of pigs seropositive was obtained. The associated risk factors were not performing quarantine (P = 0.003, OR = 5.43, CI = 1.79–16.41) and the use of artificial insemination (P = 0.023, OR = 3.38, CI = 1.18–9.66). A significant association of sow infection with the increased number of stillborn and mummified foetuses was found, as well as with the increased frequency of oestrus recurrence and the increased weaning‐to‐oestrus interval of seropositive sows. One might state that Leptospira spp. infection is disseminated in technified pig farms in the State of Alagoas, favouring reproductive failures and the impairment of zootechnical performance in these properties. The risk factors identified in this study are facilitators in the infecting agent dissemination and should be adjusted to control the disease in the herds studied.

This study was conducted to determine leptospirosis seroprevalence in sheep and their spatial distribution as well as identify risk factors associated with seropositivity in sheep from 37 herds and 11 municipalities in the Presidente Dutra microregion, Maranhão state, Brazil. We analyzed 379 blood serum samples using a Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). The individual seroprevalence was 32%. Of the 37 herds studied, 30 (81%, 95% CI 69-94%) had at least one seropositive animal. In seven municipalities, we observed infection in 100% of the herds. The serovars recorded were Grippotyphosa (67%), Wollfi with Hardjo (9%), Bratislava (9%), Hardjo (5%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (5%), Pomona (2%), Castellonis (2%) and Copenhageni (0.8%). We concluded that the Leptospira spp. in sheep is widespread in the area of sheep farms in Maranhão state, and a risk factor is the animals' water source.

Leptospirosis is a widely distributed zoonosis that affects domestic and wild animals, and that has the man as the end point of its epidemiological chain. Leptospirosis diagnosis in primates is more difficult than in other animal species, as clinical signs and lesions are less evident and antibody response is detected only for short periods. The aim of this article was to describe the detection of Leptospira spp using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in clinical samples from one captive black-capped Capuchin monkey (Cebus apella), which presented characteristics compatible with leptospirosis (jaundice and haemorrhagic kdney) in the macroscopic post-mortem examination. A friable kidney fragment and urine sample were cultured and submitted to experimental inoculation in guinea pigs and PCR using genus specific primer pair targeting the 16S rRNA region from Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola. Isolation of the agent was negative both in culture and experimental inoculation. The PCR amplification of the clinical samples showed a 330 pb amplified fragment that corresponds to the Leptospira genus. Based on these results PCR was considered an important tool for leptospira detection in nonhumam primates, more sensitive and specific than other techniques, especially considering that the viability of the pathogen was not possible. These advantages enable the detection of the leptospiras in urine and kidney, even when autolysed, frozen or badly conserved, which prevented the isolation and experimental inoculation from positive results.

This paper aimed to determine the excretion period of B19 vaccine strain during a complete reproductive cycle (from estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, pregnancy and until 30 days after parturition) of dairy cows from 3 to 9 years old that were previously vaccinated from 3 to 8 months. Three groups were monitored with monthly milk and urine collection during 12 months: G1 with seven cows from 3 to 4 years old; G2 with three cows from 5 to 6 years old; and G3 with four cows from 7 to 9 years old. Urine and milk samples were submitted to bacteriological culture and urine and PCR reactions for detection of Brucella spp. and PCR-multiplex for B19 strain identification. Ring test (RT) was also performed in the milk samples, and serum samples were tested by buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPA). All animals were serologically negative at BAPA and Brucella spp. was not isolated from both urine and milk samples. RT revealed 13/210 (6.2%) positive milk samples. PCR reactions detected DNA of Brucella spp. in 86/420 (20.5%) samples. In urine it was found a significantly higher frequency (35.2%; 74/210) than in milk (5.7%; 12/210), more frequently from the estrus to 150 days of pregnancy and after parturition (6.7%; 10/150), and from 150 days of pregnancy to parturition (3.4%; 2/60), and they were all identified as B19 strain. In three groups, intermittent excretion of B19 strain was detected mainly in urine samples, which confirmed its multiplication and persistence in cows for until 9 years.

A leptospirose é uma zoonose bacteriana causada por espiroquetas do gênero Leptospira. Com vasta distribuição geográfica, é evidenciada em todo o mundo e particularmente prevalente em países de clima tropical e subtropical, principalmente nos períodos de altos índices pluviométricos (Acha e Szyfres, 2001) devido à elevada sobrevivência da bactéria em ambientes úmidos, o que aumenta o risco de exposição e contaminação de animais susceptíveis e seres humanos. As perdas econômicas causadas pela leptospirose estão direta ou indiretamente ligadas às falhas reprodutivas como infertilidade e abortamento, bem como à queda da produção de carne e leite, além de custos com despesas de assistência veterinária, vacinas e testes de laboratório (Faine et al., 1999).Cada sorovar de Leptospira spp. tende a ser mantido por um hospedeiro específico, por isso bovinos de qualquer região podem ser infectados com estirpes adaptadas ou mantidas pelos próprios bovinos, onde a transmissão direta é de grande importância, como ocorre com o sorovar Hardjo, que parece ser independente da região e condições climáticas, ou ainda, por estirpes mantidas por outros animais domésticos ou silvestres, o que caracteriza a infecção incidental. A infecção é determinada por fatores, como as espécies animais de contato, os sorovares existentes na região, as condições ambientais e climáticas, além do manejo e das oportunidades de infecção direta ou indireta (Ellis, 1984)

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 34(4):332-336, abril 2014 332 RESUMO.-Foram determinadas as prevalências de propriedades positivas e de animais positivos e identificados fatores de risco associados à leptospirose em vacas no Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Foram aleatoriamente selecionadas 2.317vacas com idade ≥ 24 meses, procedentes de 450propriedades. Para o diagnóstico sorológico da infecção por Leptospira spp. foi empregado o teste de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), utilizando-se 24 sorovares como antígenos. Uma propriedade foi considerada positiva quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. Das 450 propriedades investigadas 398 (89,7%; IC 95% = 86,6-92,2%) apresentaram pelo menos um animal reagente na SAM para qualquer sorovar, e 1.349 (61,1%; IC 95% = 56,6-65,4%) animais foram soropositivos. O sorovar Hardjo foi o mais prevalente nas propriedades e nos animais, com frequências de 58,17% e 54,69%, respectivamente. Propriedade ser localizada no Sertão (odds ratio = 3,20; p = 0,003), presença de animais silvestres (odds ratio =2,89; p=0,005), não resfriar o leite (odds ratio =3,83; p=0,034) e presença de pastos alagados (odds ratio =2,36; Herd-level and animal-level prevalences were determined and risk factors associated with leptospirosis were identified in cows in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. A total of 2,317 cows with ≥ 24 months of age from 450 herds were randomly sampled. For the serological diagnosis of Leptospira spp. infection, the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was carried out using 24 serovars as antigens. A herd was considered positive when presented at least one seropositive animal. Of the 450 investigated herds, 398 (89.7%; 95% CI = 86.6-92.2%) presented at least one reactant animal at MAT to any serovar, and 1,349 (61.1%; 95% CI = 56.6-65.4%) animals were seropositive. Serovar Hardjo was the most prevalent in herds and animals, with frequencies of 58.17% and 54.69% respectively. Location of the herd in the Sertão (odds ratio = 3.20; p=0.003), presence of wildlife (odds ratio =2.89; p=0.005), not cooling milk (odds ratio =3.83; p=0.034) and presence of flooded pastures (odds ratio =2.36; p<0.001) were identified as risk factors for herd-level prevalence. It is concluded that leptospirosis is widely spread in cattle in State of Paraíba, which reinforces the need for increased prevention and control measures, such as vaccination of herds. According to the results of risk factors analysis it is suggested that the sanitary control before the introduction of animals, drainage of wetlands and improvement in management conditions are important measures to preventing the infection.