Detection of Leptospira spp. in the semen and urine of bulls serologically reactive to Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo

Abstract

This study evaluated PCR for the detection of leptospires in semen and urine of ten serologically reactive bulls, comparing these results with those obtained with other diagnosis techniques. Two collections of materials were done in alternate days. Semen and urine samples were separated in aliquots for: direct visualization in dark field microscopy; inoculation in hamsters (for semen only); isolation in culture media; and PCR. No hamster was positive by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT); kidney and liver fragments from the hamsters were used in an isolation attempt in culture media, with one positive isolation from the kidney of a hamster inoculated with semen of one bull, and from liver of hamsters inoculated with semen of three bulls. Isolation in culture was negative for all semen samples, but positive for five urine samples by direct inoculation. In PCR there was no positive result for semen samples, and only one urine sample was positive, which was coincident with one of the positive cultures. It was not possible to visualize leptospires in any of the samples by dark field microscopy.

Interlaboratory and between-specimen comparisons of diagnostic tests for leptospirosis in sheep and cattle

“…16,28,41 In addition, infected animals can develop chronic renal infection and excrete the organisms in the urine, disseminating leptospires to other animals and constituting a potential zoonotic threat to those engaged in animal production and related industries. 22,34 More than 200 serovars of pathogenic Leptospira, within 20 species of leptospires, have been isolated and described worldwide. 6,10 In New Zealand, leptospirosis is the most common occupationally acquired zoonotic disease and is associated mainly with meat and agricultural workers.…”

Leptospira spp. and Brucella ovis seroprevalence in sheep: preliminary results of one year surveillance program

“…surveillance program, blood samples from rams were collected in order to extend serological investigation to B. ovis and Leptospira. Males were selected for the survey because of their involvement in the venereal transmission of these microorganisms (Cerri et al, 1999, Magajevski et al, 2005, Director et al, 2014. Based on our results, B. ovis seroprevalence in Tuscany appears to be zero.…”

Complete diagnosis of leptospirosis in tropical reproductive cattle

“…Some current studies have attempt to confirm presence of leptospiral DNA in reproductive secretions. In cattle, two research group evaluated semen of seropositive bulls with unsuccessful results (28,29)), but more recently another research group was capable to detect Leptospiral DNA from vaginal fluid of cows (30). Other studies have been executed in goats and sheeps, with positive results for vaginal fluids and semen (31); and in mares and horses, which lead to detection of leptospiral DNA in vaginal fluids, genital tract and semen (32,33).…”