Seroepidemiological survey on Leptospira spp. infection in wild and domestic mammals in two distinct areas of the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that causes severe reproductive problems in livestock and generates economic losses for farmers. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in small mammals, both wild and domestic, in two distinct areas of the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil: the National Park of Serra das Confusões (NPSC), state of Piauí, a preserved area; and rural areas in the municipalities of Petrolina and Lagoa Grande, state of Pernambuco, non-preserved areas. Serum samples were evaluated using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Approximately 4% (6/152) of the wild animals were positive, all of them in the non-preserved area. Overall, the seroprevalence rates among goats and sheep were 13.4 (77/576) and 4.6% (24/518), respectively, confirmed in both areas. The seroprevalence rates in dogs and cats were 5.6 (10/180) and 4.7% (2/43) and were determined only in the non-preserved area. The risk factors associated with Leptospira spp. infection were as follows: ages of 1-3 and > 3 years for goats and sheep, region (preserved area) for goats, intensive management system for sheep, and region (non-preserved area) for dogs and wildlife. The present study confirmed the presence of circulation of Leptospira spp. in both of these areas of the Caatinga biome, as well as a variety of serotypes in these areas.

Leptospiral shedding and seropositivity in shelter dogs in the Cumberland Gap Region of Southeastern Appalachia

“…Earlier studies from different parts of the world have shown urinary shedding and/or seropositivity in cats, suggesting that cats may have a role as a reservoir or accidental host [44][45][46][47][48]. However, in our study, all tested cats were negative for the presence of leptospiral antibodies and leptospiruria.…”

Soropositividade para Leptospira sp. e sorogrupos predominantes em cães do Pantanal Brasileiro

“…Inúmeros trabalhos avaliaram a ocorrência de animais sororreagentes a diversos sorovares de Leptospira sp. em outras regiões do Brasil, cujos resultados são variáveis, denotando que determinadas características epidemiológicas podem interferir numa maior ou menor circulação do agente (Aguiar et al, 2007;Azevedo et al, 2011;Jorge et al, 2011;Santos et al, 2017).…”

Frequency of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in dogs and wild small mammals from rural properties and conservation units in southern Brazil

“…In other regions of the country wild animals and dogs also showed higher occurrence than in the present study, such as dogs studied in the state of Paraíba [4] with 21.4% (61/285) seropositivity, Rio Grande do Norte with 6.8% (25/365) [9], Paraná with 11% per dog-trimester [27], and Pará with 17.15% (47/274) [31]. In two semi-arid regions of Brazil the seropositivity was 5.6% (10/180) in dog and 3.9% (6/152) in wild mammals [34]. Moreover wild canids and wild rats in the municipality of Minas Gerais presented 35% (14/40) and 30.3% (13/43) seropositivity, respectively [13,32].…”