Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in horses from Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in horses reared in the Eastern and Western Potiguar mesoregion, State of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. Seven hundred and eighty-five animals (785) were used from 90 properties from 2018 to 2019. The serological diagnosis was performed by the microscopic agglutination technique (MAT), using a collection of live antigens composed of twenty serovars belonging to sixteen serogroups. Variable data associated with risk factors were obtained from questionnaires carried out to herd owners and statistically analyzed. The absolute and relative frequencies were determined by descriptive analysis and risk factors by univariate analysis of the variables using the Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test, when necessary, and then assessed by Poison regression. The positivity frequency among animals was 97.2% (763), and from all properties, there was at least one seropositive animal. The main reactive serogroup was Icterohaemorrhagiae (72.88%), followed by reactive animals to Australis (14,94%), Sejroe (4.43%), Shermani (2.77%), Autumnalis and Pomona (1.29%). It was observed occurrences lower than 1% to serogroups Canicola, Ballum, Grippotyphosa and Hebdomadis, with titles ≤400 in 78,97% of cases. The significant occurrence of seropositive horses and the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae predominance highlights the importance of vaccination and hygiene in Potiguares herds facilities to prevent leptospirosis cases and the consequent elimination of the agent in the environment.

Serological frequency of Leptospira spp. in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Paraná state, Brazil

“…This raises the hypothesis that rodents have access mainly to food offered to buffaloes but also that they may contaminate the wetlands or the environment where these buffaloes live together, especially in places close to urban areas or with poor sanitary conditions. Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar has also been reported with high frequency in horses (Rizzo et al 2022). Therefore, the high frequency of buffaloes positive to this serovar could be associated with the contact or co-grazing of horses on the property since 66.67% (12/18) of the properties of the present study had horses on the property.…”