A systematic review on the microscopic agglutination test seroepidemiology of bovine leptospirosis in Latin America

Abstract

The diagnosis of leptospirosis commonly relies on serology, which has three issues that are referred: the sampling, the antigen panel, and the cutoff point. We propose a systematic review of the bovine leptospirosis in Latin America, in order to provide a better understanding of the evolution of the research and of the seroepidemiology of bovine leptospirosis in that region. Internet databases were consulted over the year of 2014. Inclusion criteria for analysis included serosurvey using microscopic agglutination test (MAT), a relevant number of animals, the presence in the antigen panel of at least one representant of serogroup Sejroe, and a cutoff point of ≥100. A total of 242 articles that referred to cattle, leptospir*, and one region of Latin America was found. Only 105 articles regarding to serosurveys using MAT were found in several countries, and 61 (58.1 %) met all the inclusion criteria. In conclusion, this systematic review demonstrated a high prevalence of the infection (75.0 % at herd level and 44.2 % at animal level), with predominance of strains of serogroup Sejroe (80.3 %). It was evident that there is the necessity of more studies in several countries, as well as the need for greater standardization in studies, especially with regard to the adopted cutoff point at serological tests.

Occurrence of serological reactions for serogroup Sejroe (CTG and Prajtino) in female buffalo in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

“…Therefore, it is necessary to execute other studies by using isolation and molecular techniques to investigate the importance of this serogroup as a cause of abortion in buffalo. Pinto et al 18 (245) reinforce the necessity of studies in different countries and a greater standardization of the diagnosis of Leptospira spp. infection.…”

“…17 Otherwise, a comparison between the results obtained in different studies is difficult to analyze, because the MAT technique may vary among laboratories according to their collection of antigens. 18 …”

“…The strain CTG was isolated for the first time in samples from cattle in Brazil by Moreira, 19 being typified in the Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdã, Holanda. Since 1991, many studies in Brazil have highlighted the importance of serogroup Sejroe in bovine leptospirosis, including the serovar of this serogroup in the antigen panel 18 (p242) . According to those authors, a high prevalence of infection has been demonstrated in the herd (75%) and individuals (44.2%) with a predominance of serovars of the serogroup Sejroe (80.3%).…”

Diagnosis of acute canine leptospirosis using multiple laboratory tests and characterization of the isolated strains

“…In contrast, MAT titration against Canicola was only found in two dogs, which had low titers against this serogroup. Canicola strains are frequently isolated from dogs in Brazil and other locations [ 15 , 16 , 37 ], although serological evidence of Canicola infection is not often observed [ 38 ]. A previous study including dogs suspected of clinical leptospirosis conducted by our group between 2008 and 2012 found that even though most dogs reacted against serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola strains could still be recovered from three symptomatic dogs which had no MAT titers against this serovar [ 15 ].…”

Detection of Leptospira spp. in Water Turtle (Trachemys scripta) Living in Ponds of Urban Parks

“…Leptospiral strains are broadly distributed in soil and water worldwide. As described by Bharti et al, the group of natural reservoirs of pathogenic leptospires is vast and continues to increase [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”