Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. infection in sheep from northwest of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil/Soroprevalencia da infeccao por Leptospira spp. em ovinos do noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

• Published in: Ciência rural 2019-12, Vol.49 (12)
• Main Authors: Consalter, Angelica, Zanella, Eraldo Lourenso, de Souza Ma, de Araujo, Hugo Libonati, Lilenbaum, Walter, de Souza, Guilherme Nunes, Ferreira, Ana Maria Reis
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Analysis; Gram-negative bacteria; Health aspects; Infection; Leptospirosis; Livestock; Medical research; Zoonoses
• ISSN: 0103-8478

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that is widely distributed in tropical countries. This infection is also associated with reproductive losses in livestock, which has a significant economic impact. The objective of this study is to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with leptospiral infection in commercial sheep flocks from the northwestern mesoregion of Rio Grande do Sul. Serum samples were analyzed in 319 sheep using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). At the time of sampling, an individual and herd questionnaire was carried out to investigate the risk factors. On an individual level, positive reactions were observed in 5.6% (18/319) of the studied sera, with Sejroe being the most prevalent serogroup. Animals >3 years old were more likely to be seropositive than animals 1-3 years old (OR 14.4; 95% CI 1.9-110). The predominance of Sejroe serogroup in this manner draws attention to how subclinical infection is associated with economic losses. Therefore, the importance of maintaining measures for the prevention and control of leptospirosis among the sheep flocks of the studied region is reiterated. Key words: Leptospira spp., sheep, MAT, seroprevalence. A leptospirose e uma zoonose amplamente distribuida em paises tropicais. Essa infeccao tambem esta associada a perdas reprodutivas na pecuaria, apresentando uma relevancia economica notavel. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a soroprevalencia e os fatores de risco associados a infeccao por leptospirose em rebanhos comerciais de ovinos da mesorregiao noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Amostras de soro de 319 ovelhas foram analisadas pelo Teste de Aglutinacao Microscopica (MAT). No momento da amostragem foi realizado um questionario individual e de rebanho para investigar os fatores de risco. No nivel individual, reacoes positivas foram observadas em 5.6% (18/319) dos soros estudados, sendo Sejroe o sorogrupo mais prevalente. Animals >3 years old were more likely to be sero-positive than animals 1-3 years old (OR 14.4; 95% CI 1.9-110). A predominancia do sorogrupo Sejroe chama a atencao para a infeccao subclinica associada a perdas economicas. Portanto, reitera-se a importancia da manutencao de medidas de prevencao e controle da leptospirose entre os rebanhos ovinos da regiao estudada. Palavras-chave: Leptospira spp., ovinos, MAT, soroprevalencia.