Leptospirose bovina no Estado da Paraíba: prevalência e fatores de risco associados à ocorrência de propriedades positivas

Abstract

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.

Seroprevalence and predominant serogroups of Leptospira sp. in serological tests of ruminants in northeastern Brazil

“…Seropositivity was revealed to be high in cattle, similar to the results reported by Martins and Lilenbaum (2013) in Rio de Janeiro, with a frequency of 23%; Campos et al (2017) in Piauí, with 50%; Pinto et al (2016) in a systematic review in Latin America, with 44.2%; Pimenta et al (2014) in Paraíba, with 61.1%; and Silva et al (2012) in Maranhão, with 35.9%. These results are similar to those of the present study, and indicate that the disease, in fact, circulates in the studied cattle herds, emphasizing the impact of this agent on the health of these animals and, consequently, on public health.…”

Influence of storage on the chemical composition of Stylosanthes hays for equine feeding

“…Therefore, we suggest the hypothesis that, in addition to environmental conditions, the robustness of the animal species evaluated contributed to the low seropositivity observed in this study. It should be noted that, although the relationship between rainfall and the frequency of seropositive animals is well established (ALVES et al, 1996;VANASCO et al, 2008), the same phenomenon was not observed in cattle in the same region, with 61.1% seropositivity (PIMENTA et al, 2014).…”

“…This serovar is most common among wild animals (ALVES et al, 1996), whose presence has been recognized as a risk factor for bovine leptospirosis in the region (PIMENTA et al, 2014). The Brazilian guinea pig (Cavia aperea) is one of the most common wild rodents in Paraíba (ALVES et al, 1996) and is also an important reservoir of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar (CUBAS et al, 2007).…”

Strategies of the control of an outbreak of leptospiral infection in dairy cattle in Northeastern Brazil

“…However, any serovar can infect any animal species, but a limited number of serovars affect livestock species accidentally, leading to outbreaks of abortion, dead fetuses, and repeated estrus. Hardjo and Wolffi serovars are the most prevalently reported in studies on cattle in Brazil (Pimenta et al 2014).…”