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Veterinary medicine and science2025; 11(5); e70520; doi: 10.1002/vms3.70520

Detection of Antibodies Against Leptospira interrogans Serovars Among Stabled Horses in Qazvin Province of Iran as a One-Health Concern.

Abstract: Leptospirosis, a global zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., poses significant health risks to both animals and humans. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serovars in stabled horses in Qazvin province, Northwest Iran. From January 2023 to April 2024, a total of 83 blood samples were collected from asymptomatic horses using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Results indicated a seroprevalence of 40.96% (95% CI: 31-52), with notable variations among regions: 38.89% (95% CI: 27-52) in Qazvin, 38.46% (95% CI: 18-64) in Alborz and 50% (95% CI: 28-72) in Takestan. The Hardjo serovar was most prevalent (21.68%, 95% CI: 14-32), followed by Icterohaemorrhagiae (13.25%, 95% CI: 7-22) and Canicola (7.22%, 95% CI: 3-15). Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between seropositivity and factors such as the presence of domestic animals and housing conditions. Notably, adult horses exhibited higher seropositivity compared to younger ones. This study highlights the potential role of horses as reservoirs for Leptospira, particularly the Hardjo serovar, suggesting a zoonotic risk to humans and underscoring the need for effective surveillance and control measures in equine populations.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-28 PubMed ID: 40719640PubMed Central: PMC12302565DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70520Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This study researched the presence of antibodies against specific strains of Leptospira, a disease-causing agent, among horses in certain areas of Iran. They discovered almost half of the tested horses carried these antibodies, particularly for the Hardjo strain, illustrating a high health risk to both humans and other animals.

Background and Aim of the Study

  • This study focused on Leptospirosis, a disease affecting both humans and animals around the world. It’s caused by the bacteria Leptospira and the presence of this bacteria in animals can pose a significant public health risk.
  • The purpose of the research was to determine the prevalence of antibodies against certain strains (serovars) of Leptospira bacteria in horses kept in stables in Qazvin province, Northwest Iran.

Study Method

  • The researchers conducted the study between January 2023 and April 2024.
  • A total of 83 blood samples were gathered from horses that didn’t show any symptoms of disease.
  • These samples were then tested using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), a common method for detecting antibodies against Leptospira in blood samples.

Results

  • The tests revealed that 40.96% of the samples tested positive for Leptospira antibodies, suggesting that those horses had been exposed to the bacteria.
  • The most prevalent strain was the Hardjo serovar, present in about 21.68% of the samples, followed by the Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola strains.

Regional Variations

  • The seroprevalence showed geographical variations, with the highest presence in Takestan (50%), followed by Qazvin (38.89%) and Alborz (38.46%).

Significant Associations

  • Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the presence of Leptospira antibodies and certain factors like the presence of other domestic animals and the conditions of the horse stables.
  • The age of the horse also appeared to influence seropositivity, with adult horses showing higher rates of Leptospira antibodies than younger ones.

Conclusions

  • The study emphasized the possibility of horses acting as reservoirs for Leptospira bacteria, which in turn presents a risk to humans and other animals, highlighting the importance of effective surveillance and control procedures in horse populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Imandar M, Javadi A, Abdollahpour G, Mahale PRS, Qanbari A, Mirzaalimohammadi M, Taherkhani E, Olfatifar M, Nikkhahi F, Eslahi AV, Badri M. (2025). Detection of Antibodies Against Leptospira interrogans Serovars Among Stabled Horses in Qazvin Province of Iran as a One-Health Concern. Vet Med Sci, 11(5), e70520. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70520

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 5
Pages: e70520
PII: e70520

Researcher Affiliations

Imandar, Mohsen
  • Qazvin Province Directorate of Iran Veterinary Organization, Qazvin, Iran.
Javadi, Amir
  • Qazvin Province Directorate of Iran Veterinary Organization, Qazvin, Iran.
Abdollahpour, Gholamreza
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Mahale, Parisa Rahimi Siahkal
  • Qazvin Province Directorate of Iran Veterinary Organization, Qazvin, Iran.
Qanbari, Alireza
  • Qazvin Province Directorate of Iran Veterinary Organization, Qazvin, Iran.
Mirzaalimohammadi, Mostafa
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran.
Taherkhani, Eshagh
  • Qazvin Province Directorate of Iran Veterinary Organization, Qazvin, Iran.
Olfatifar, Meysam
  • Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
Nikkhahi, Farhad
  • Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Eslahi, Aida Vafae
  • Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Badri, Milad
  • Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Leptospirosis / veterinary
  • Leptospirosis / epidemiology
  • Leptospirosis / microbiology
  • Iran / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Leptospira interrogans / immunology
  • Leptospira interrogans / isolation & purification
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Male
  • Female
  • Serogroup
  • One Health

Grant Funding

  • IR.QUMS.REC.1403.301 / Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Modarresnia L, Olfatifar M, Mosawi SH, Babaei A, Ghafelehbashi SH, Adamopoulos I, Mohaghegh MA, Bakht M, Hoseini FN, Asghari A, Eslahi AV, Badri M. Public Health Implications of Latent Toxoplasmosis and Its Association With Type 2 Diabetes: A Case-Control Study in Qazvin, North-Western Iran. Health Sci Rep 2026 Feb;9(2):e71782.
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