FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Prev Vet Med / A study of leptospirosis in South African horses and associa...
Preventive veterinary medicine2016; 134; 6-15; doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.09.019

A study of leptospirosis in South African horses and associated risk factors.

Abstract: Most leptospiral infections in horses are asymptomatic; however, acute disease manifestations as well as reproductive failure and recurrent uveitis have been reported. In South Africa, the epidemiology of the disease in horses is not well documented. A serosurvey to determine what serovars were present in horses from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape Provinces and to get an estimate of the seroprevalence of leptospirosis was carried out from January 2013 until April 2014 with the assistance of four large equine hospitals located in these provinces. Furthermore, associations between potential risk factors and both seropositive horses to the predominant serovar Bratislava and to Leptospira spp. were statistically evaluated using univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression models. A total of 663 horse sera were collected and tested against a panel of 24 leptospiral serovars using the microscopic agglutination test. The most predominant serovars in Gauteng were Bratislava [32%, 95% CI: 29-35%]; Djasiman [10.4%, 95% CI: 8-12%] and Arborea [8.9%, 95% CI: 7-11%], in the Western Cape Province, Bratislava [27.35%, 95% CI: 23-32]; Djasiman [15.4%, 95% CI: 12-19%] and Arborea [14.5%, 95% CI: 11-18%] and in KwaZulu-Natal, Bratislava [39.4%, 95% CI: 34-44%]; Arborea [9.6%, 95% CI: 7-13%]; and Tarassovi [7.7%, 95% CI: 5-10%] respectively. Twenty one serovars representing 17 serogroups were detected with serovar Bratislava being the most serodominant. The apparent prevalence to one or more serovars of Leptospira spp. at a serum dilution of 1:100 in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape Provinces were 49%; 37% and 32% respectively. The true prevalence was calculated for each province taking into account the clustering effect during the sampling and was found to be between 24 and 74% in Gauteng; 26-39% in the Western Cape and 20-54% in KwaZulu-Natal. Nooitgedacht (South African horse breed) horses were found to be at greater risk of being seropositive to both serovar Bratislava (OR=5.08) and Leptospira spp. (OR=6.3). Similarly, horses residing on properties with forestry in the vicinity were found to be at greater risk of being seropositive to both serovar Bratislava (OR=9.3) and Leptospira spp. (OR=5.2). This study has shown that a high proportion of horses in South Africa are exposed to a wide range of serovars, inferring a complex epidemiology. It also describes for the first time new serovars of Leptospira in South African horses that have not previously been reported.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2016-09-24 PubMed ID: 27836047DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.09.019Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research conducted a study on leptospirosis in horses within specific areas of South Africa, determining prevalent serovars and assessing potential risk factors for the condition.

Objective of the Study

  • The aim of the study was to understand the epidemiology of leptospirosis in horses across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.
  • The researchers sought to identify verifiable serovars present in horses in these regions and to estimate the prevalence of leptospirosis.

Methodological Approach

  • The researchers carried out a serosurvey from January 2013 to April 2014, with help from four large horse hospitals in these provinces.
  • A total of 663 horse sera were collected and tested using the microscopic agglutination test against a panel of 24 leptospiral serovars.
  • The researchers used statistical tools such as univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate potential risk factors associated with leptospirosis occurrence.

Findings of the Study

  • The most common serovars discovered in the Provinces were Bratislava, Djasiman, and Arborea, with Bratislava being the most predominant.
  • The realized prevalence of one or more leptospiral serovars in the horse populations in these provinces ranged between 32% and 49%.
  • The calculated “true prevalence”, accounting for sample bias, varied between 20% and 74% depending on the province.
  • Potential risk factors for leptospirosis were identified, such as the breed of the horse (Nooitgedacht horses were more susceptible) and the presence of local forestry.

Significance of the Findings

  • This study shows a high proportion of horses in these South African provinces are exposed to multiple serovars of leptospirosis, suggesting a complex epidemiology in the area.
  • The work also reports previously unknown serovars of Leptospira in South African horses for the first time.
  • The identification of specific risk factors provides a foundation for developing measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease in the local horse population.

Cite This Article

APA
Simbizi V, Saulez MN, Potts A, Lötter C, Gummow B. (2016). A study of leptospirosis in South African horses and associated risk factors. Prev Vet Med, 134, 6-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.09.019

Publication

Preventive veterinary medicine
ISSN: 1873-1716
NlmUniqueID: 8217463
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 134
Pages: 6-15

Researcher Affiliations

Simbizi, V
  • State Veterinary Services, Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Lady Frere, South Africa; Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Saulez, M N
  • Winelands Equine Vet, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Potts, A
  • Bacterial Serology Laboratory: ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
Lötter, C
  • Bacterial Serology Laboratory: ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
Gummow, B
  • Discipline of Veterinary Sciences, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Queensland, Australia; Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. Electronic address: bruce.gummow@jcu.edu.au.

MeSH Terms

  • Agglutination Tests / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Leptospira / genetics
  • Leptospira / physiology
  • Leptospirosis / epidemiology
  • Leptospirosis / microbiology
  • Leptospirosis / veterinary
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Serogroup
  • South Africa / epidemiology

Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
  1. Azócar-Aedo L, Meniconi G, Pino-Olguín C, Gallardo M. Seropositivity for Pathogenic Leptospira in Dogs, Cats, and Horses at a Teaching Veterinary Hospital in Southern Chile. Trop Med Infect Dis 2025 Sep 3;10(9).
    doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed10090253pubmed: 41003563google scholar: lookup
  2. Imandar M, Javadi A, Abdollahpour G, Mahale PRS, Qanbari A, Mirzaalimohammadi M, Taherkhani E, Olfatifar M, Nikkhahi F, Eslahi AV, Badri M. Detection of Antibodies Against Leptospira interrogans Serovars Among Stabled Horses in Qazvin Province of Iran as a One-Health Concern. Vet Med Sci 2025 Sep;11(5):e70520.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.70520pubmed: 40719640google scholar: lookup
  3. Hamond C, Adam EN, Stone NE, LeCount K, Anderson T, Putz EJ, Camp P, Hicks J, Stuber T, van der Linden H, Bayles DO, Sahl JW, Schlater LK, Wagner DM, Nally JE. Identification of equine mares as reservoir hosts for pathogenic species of Leptospira. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1346713.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1346713pubmed: 38784659google scholar: lookup
  4. Díaz EA, Arroyo G, Sáenz C, Mena L, Barragán V. Leptospirosis in horses: Sentinels for a neglected zoonosis? A systematic review. Vet World 2023 Oct;16(10):2110-2119.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2110-2119pubmed: 38023277google scholar: lookup
  5. Romanowski TNA, Dias RA, Heinemann MB, Carvalho SF, Silva TA, Martins ADS, Caetano GDDC, Ferreira Júnior Á, Santos JPD, Borsanelli AC. Seroprevalence of Equine Leptospirosis in the State of Goiás, Brazil. Vet Sci 2023 Sep 25;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci10100590pubmed: 37888542google scholar: lookup
  6. Ramin A, Abdollahpour G, Hosseinzadeh A, Azizzadeh F, Ramin P, Klalili Y, Sanajo D, Iran Nezhad S. Comparison of anti-Leptospira antibodies by microscopic agglutination test in ruminants and equines of Urmia, Iran. Vet Res Forum 2023;14(4):229-235.
    doi: 10.30466/vrf.2022.546475.3345pubmed: 37181853google scholar: lookup
  7. Bolwell C, Gee E, Adams B, Collins-Emerson J, Scarfe K, Nisa S, Gordon E, Rogers C, Benschop J. Longitudinal Testing of Leptospira Antibodies in Horses Located near a Leptospirosis Outbreak in Alpacas. Vet Sci 2022 Aug 12;9(8).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9080426pubmed: 36006341google scholar: lookup
  8. Wollanke B, Gerhards H, Ackermann K. Infectious Uveitis in Horses and New Insights in Its Leptospiral Biofilm-Related Pathogenesis. Microorganisms 2022 Feb 7;10(2).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10020387pubmed: 35208842google scholar: lookup
  9. Goosen W, Moseley MH, Kerr TJ, Potts A, Miller M. The Seroepidemiology of a Neglected Zoonotic and Livestock Pathogen in Free-Ranging Bovids: Leptospirosis in African Buffaloes (Syncerus caffer). Pathogens 2021 Aug 24;10(9).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens10091072pubmed: 34578105google scholar: lookup
  10. Daddy KK, Mwanza M, Oguttu JW, Ngoma L. The prevalence and risk factors associated with Leptospira in donkeys in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, North West Province, South Africa. Vet World 2020 Sep;13(9):2020-2027.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.2020-2027pubmed: 33132620google scholar: lookup
  11. Bolwell CF, Rogers CW, Benschop J, Collins-Emerson JM, Adams B, Scarfe KR, Gee EK. Seroprevalence of Leptospira in Racehorses and Broodmares in New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 23;10(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10111952pubmed: 33114082google scholar: lookup
  12. Putz EJ, Nally JE. Investigating the Immunological and Biological Equilibrium of Reservoir Hosts and Pathogenic Leptospira: Balancing the Solution to an Acute Problem?. Front Microbiol 2020;11:2005.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02005pubmed: 32922382google scholar: lookup
  13. Vera E, Taddei S, Cavirani S, Schiavi J, Angelone M, Cabassi CS, Schiano E, Quintavalla F. Leptospira Seroprevalence in Bardigiano Horses in Northern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2019 Dec 20;10(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10010023pubmed: 31877658google scholar: lookup
  14. Cordonin C, Turpin M, Bascands JL, Dellagi K, Mavingui P, Tortosa P, Roche M. Three Leptospira Strains From Western Indian Ocean Wildlife Show Highly Distinct Virulence Phenotypes Through Hamster Experimental Infection. Front Microbiol 2019;10:382.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00382pubmed: 30915044google scholar: lookup
  15. Alvarado-Esquivel C, Cruz-Romero A, Romero-Salas D, Alvarado-Félix ÁO, Aguilar-Domínguez M, Ochoa-Valencia JL, Alvarado-Esquivel D, Hernández-Tinoco J, Zamarripa-Barboza JA, Sánchez-Anguiano LF. Apparently high Leptospira antibody seropositivity in donkeys for slaughter in three municipalities in Durango, Mexico. J Vet Diagn Invest 2018 Nov;30(6):929-932.
    doi: 10.1177/1040638718800358pubmed: 30239293google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,000 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.