Seroepidemiology of leptospirosis in livestock in Trinidad

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis and infecting serovars across livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs) in Trinidad using the microscopic agglutination test with an international panel of 23 serovars. Of a total of 590 cattle tested, 21.5% were seropositive with agglutinations to 13 of the 23 antigens used in the panel. Icterohaemorrhagiae (9.3%), Sejroe (4.1%), Ballum (4.1%), and Autumnalis (1.9%) were the predominant serogroups detected in the cattle sampled (n = 590). Of 222 sheep tested, 5.0% were seropositive with agglutinations to five serovars belonging to two serogroups. These serogroups were Autumnalis at 2.7%, and Icterohaemorrhagiae at 2.3% of all sheep tested (n = 222). Of a total of 180 goats tested, 3.3% were seropositive, all agglutinating to the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup, 1.7% to serovar Copenhageni, 1.1% to serovar Mankarso, and 0.6% to serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae. Among pigs (n = 200), 5.0% were seropositive for five serovars belonging to three serogroups. These serogroups were Icterohaemorrhagiae at 2.5%, Australis at 2%, and Ballum at 0.5%. Overall, age and sex of animals were not significantly associated with leptospirosis with the exception of cattle where age was a significant factor for seropositivity. It was concluded that for livestock, leptospirosis may be an important zoonotic and economic disease, particularly in the case of cattle. It is imperative that the impact of leptospirosis on abortion, stillbirths, and decreased milk production in livestock in the country be assessed.

Frequency of Leptospira spp. in sheep from Brazilian slaughterhouses and its association with epidemiological variables

“…The crossed reaction between Hardjo-Prajitno and Hardjo-CTG can occur and must be considered a possibility in this study. These serovars are highly important to herbivorous species, causing abortion (Suepaul et al 2011). Most of positive animals (28/137, 20.4%) were bred extensively.…”

“…In addition to the reproductive system, leptospires can colonize the kidneys, making sheep potential renal carriers. Thus, the bacteria remain in the environment and sheep may act as a source of infection for other animals and humans (Suepaul et al 2011). Sheep become infected by contaminated urine from rodents, cattle or wild animals.…”

“…Sheep become infected by contaminated urine from rodents, cattle or wild animals. (Dorjee et al 2011, Martins et al 2011, Suepaul et al 2011.…”

Outbreak of leptospirosis: reproductive losses in sheep

“…mainly by contaminated urine from rodents, cattle, or wild animals (Dorjee et al 2011;Suepaul et al 2011;Martins et al 2012). Our samples came from a farm under a system of rearing sheep and cattle together, sharing the same water supplies and, especially, without vaccination for leptospirosis in both species.…”

Comments of Environmental Conditions for the Maintenance of Leptospira in Tropical Scenarios

“…The first is determined by strains adapted to and carried by an animal host, which is classically characterized by serovar Hardjo in cattle, while another group consists of incidental infections caused by strains carried by other animals (domestic or wild) [5]. While the incidental infection frequently presents as outbreaks and, as stated by the authors, animals suffer from the disease with a potentially lethal outcome, adapted strains usually leads to subclinical infection, becoming an important source of infection for humans or other animals [13]. It is important to highlight that in livestock leptospirosis is a silent infection that determines several reproductive problems, such as abortions, leading to important economic hazards [5].…”