Leptospirosis in Ethiopia: a serological survey in domestic and wild animals.
Abstract: Seven hundred and fifty-eight serum samples from domestic and wild animals in Ethiopia were tested for leptospiral antibodies by the microscopic agglutination test. The following percentages of seropositivity were obtained: horse (91.3 per cent), cow (70.7 per cent), pig (57.1 per cent), goat (47.3 per cent), sheep (43.4 per cent), camel (15.4 per cent), and dog (8.3 per cent). All 54 samples from birds and wild animals were seronegative. Most of the positive sera exhibited reaction to more than one serotype and antibodies to serotype butembo were predominant in sera of the majority of the examined species. However, grippotyphosa, rather than butembo was the predominant reacting serotype in camels and dogs. It is concluded that leptospirosis is of significant prevalence in domestic animals in Ethiopia and may constitute an occupational health hazard to man.
Publication Date: 1975-02-01 PubMed ID: 806698
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigates the prevalence of Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease, in domestic and wild animals in Ethiopia to identify potential health risks to humans. The study found that the disease was prevalent in domestic animals, but absent in tested wild animals and birds, signifying an occupational health concern.
About Leptospirosis
- Leptospirosis is a disease caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria, which can affect both humans and animals.
- The bacteria is often spread through urine of infected animals entering into water or soil, where it can survive for extended periods and infect animals or humans who come into contact with the contaminated sources.
Methodology of the Research
- The research was carried out through a serological survey, mainly through a microscopic agglutination test.
- A total of 758 serum samples from various domestic and wild animals were tested for leptospiral antibodies. The animals included horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, camels, dogs, and various species of birds and wild animals.
Findings of the Study
- The study identified that leptospirosis was prevalent in various percentages among domesticated animals: horses (91.3%), cows (70.7%), pigs (57.1%), goats (47.3%), sheep (43.4%), camels (15.4%) and dogs (8.3%).
- All samples from birds and wild animals tested negative for Leptospira antibodies.
- Much of the Leptospira-positive serum demonstrated a reaction to multiple serotypes, with antibodies to serotype butembo being predominant in many of the examined species.
- Nonetheless, for camels and dogs, the predominant serotype reacting was grippotyphosa, not butembo.
Conclusion of the Research
- The investigation found a significant prevalence of leptospirosis in domestic animals in Ethiopia.
- As the disease was not found in the wild animals and birds sampled, it implies that the infection has more focus within domesticated animals – an area where humans have more direct interactions.
- Therefore, the research concludes that leptospirosis may pose an occupational health risk to humans who handle these animals, making it a significant concern from a public health point of view.
Cite This Article
APA
Moch RW, Ebner EE, Barsoum LS, Botros BA.
(1975).
Leptospirosis in Ethiopia: a serological survey in domestic and wild animals.
J Trop Med Hyg, 78(2), 38-42.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Agglutination Tests
- Animal Population Groups / microbiology
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic / microbiology
- Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis
- Birds
- Camelus
- Cattle
- Dogs
- Ethiopia
- Goats
- Haplorhini
- Horses
- Leptospira / immunology
- Leptospirosis / epidemiology
- Leptospirosis / veterinary
- Rats
- Serotyping
- Sheep
- Swine
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Gelalcha BD, Robi DT, Deressa FB. A participatory epidemiological investigation of causes of cattle abortion in Jimma zone, Ethiopia. Heliyon 2021 Aug;7(8):e07833.
- Marami LM, Gebremedhin EZ, Sarba EJ, Tola GK, Endalew SS, Melkamsew AT, Di Marco Lo Presti V, Vitale M. Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Canine Leptospira and Brucella Species Infection in West Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia. Vet Med (Auckl) 2021;12:33-42.
- Atherstone C, Mgode GF, Dhand NK, Alonso S, Grace D, Ward MP, Mor SM. Selected Endemic Zoonoses in Pigs Presenting for Slaughter in Kampala, Uganda. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 Dec;103(6):2552-2560.
- Maze MJ, Biggs HM, Rubach MP, Galloway RL, Cash-Goldwasser S, Allan KJ, Halliday JE, Hertz JT, Saganda W, Lwezaula BF, Cleaveland S, Mmbaga BT, Maro VP, Crump JA. Comparison of the Estimated Incidence of Acute Leptospirosis in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania between 2007-08 and 2012-14. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016 Dec;10(12):e0005165.
- Costa F, Hagan JE, Calcagno J, Kane M, Torgerson P, Martinez-Silveira MS, Stein C, Abela-Ridder B, Ko AI. Global Morbidity and Mortality of Leptospirosis: A Systematic Review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015;9(9):e0003898.
- Martins G, Lilenbaum W. Leptospirosis in sheep and goats under tropical conditions. Trop Anim Health Prod 2014 Jan;46(1):11-7.
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