Leptospiral abortion and leptospiruria in horses from the same farm.
Abstract: Leptospirosis was documented as the cause of abortion in a 5-year-old mare. Leptospires were detected in tissue specimens from fetal kidneys and from placenta by histologic evaluation of silver-stained sections. Antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona were detected in fetal serum at a titer of 1,600 by use of a microscopic agglutination test. The mare had serum titers of 6,400; 0; 400; 800; 3,200; and 6,400 to L interrogans serovars bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona, respectively. A serologic survey identified titers of at least 6,400 against serovars bratislava and pomona in 5 other horses on the farm. Titers of at least 100 against serovar bratislava were detected in 53% of the horses on the farm. Leptospires were detected by direct fluorescent-antibody testing in urine samples from the mare that aborted and from 2 of the other 5 horses.
Publication Date: 1993-04-15 PubMed ID: 8496088
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.
- Case Reports
- 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 study investigates an occurrence of abortion in a mare caused by Leptospirosis. It focuses on how tests detected this disease across multiple horses in the same farm, studying the occurrence and spread of the bacteria in these animals.
Leptospirosis causing Abortion
- The researchers found that the direct cause of an abortion in a mare was Leptospirosis. This bacterial disease was detected via a histologic evaluation of silver-stained sections from the fetal kidneys and placenta.
- Leptospirosis usually affects animals and can cause various symptoms, including abortion in severe cases. This discovery reiterates the harmful effects of this disease on horses.
Identification of the Specific Leptospira Strain
- The microscopic agglutination test used indicated that the Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona was present in fetal serum at a titer of 1,600.
- The mother mare had serum titers with varying levels to different Leptospira interrogans serovars which were bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona.
Serologic Survey and Spread Across the Farm
- A serologic survey was conducted on the farm. This survey revealed high titer levels of at least 6,400 against serovars bratislava and pomona in 5 other horses in the same farm.
- Moreover, there was a significant percentage of horses (53%) which showed titers of at least 100 against the serovar bratislava. This indicates a widespread presence of the bacteria on the farm.
Detection of Leptospires in Urine Samples
- Direct fluorescent-antibody tests were conducted to further confirm the presence of Leptospires. These tests were performed on urine samples from various horses.
- Results showed that Leptospires were present in the urine samples from the mare that had aborted, as well as from two of the five other horses that showed high titer levels. This suggests not only a widespread presence, but also a potential means of transmission through urine.
Cite This Article
APA
Bernard WV, Bolin C, Riddle T, Durando M, Smith BJ, Tramontin RR.
(1993).
Leptospiral abortion and leptospiruria in horses from the same farm.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 202(8), 1285-1286.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40580.
MeSH Terms
- Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
- Bacteriuria / microbiology
- Bacteriuria / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Leptospira interrogans / immunology
- Leptospira interrogans / isolation & purification
- Leptospirosis / microbiology
- Leptospirosis / veterinary
- Pregnancy
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Mendes J, Aymée L, Lilenbaum W. A Scoping Review of Antimicrobial Therapy in Leptospira Infections in Domestic Animals. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 20;15(20).
- 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).
- Hamond C, Pinna A, Martins G, Lilenbaum W. The role of leptospirosis in reproductive disorders in horses. Trop Anim Health Prod 2014 Jan;46(1):1-10.
- Båverud V, Gunnarsson A, Engvall EO, Franzén P, Egenvall A. Leptospira seroprevalence and associations between seropositivity, clinical disease and host factors in horses. Acta Vet Scand 2009 Mar 30;51(1):15.
- Szeredi L, Haake DA. Immunohistochemical identification and pathologic findings in natural cases of equine abortion caused by leptospiral infection. Vet Pathol 2006 Sep;43(5):755-61.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
