Predominance of Leptospira interrogans serovar Bratislava DNA in vaginal fluid of mares suggests sexual transmission of leptospirosis.

This research article discusses a study conducted to investigate the potential of sexual transmission of leptospirosis in mares, a disease commonly caused by the bacterium Leptospira. The study found that the DNA of a particular strain of Leptospira, serovar Bratislava, was predominantly present in the vaginal fluid of the mares, suggesting that sexual transmission of the disease may occur.

Objective and Methodology of the Research

• The primary aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of sexual transmission of leptospirosis in horses. The research focused on the detection of pathogenic Leptospira sp. in the vaginal fluids of mares.
• A total of 134 mares from four troops were involved in the study. Samples were collected from the mares’ vaginal fluids and urine for PCR testing and culture, and from their blood for serology.

Results of the Research

• Out of the 134 serum samples tested, 59 (44%) showed a seroreactive response. The most frequently detected Leptospira serovar was Bratislava, present in 54.2% of the seroreactive samples.
• No positive cultures were obtained, but Leptospiral DNA was detected in 33.5% of urine samples and 32% of vaginal fluid samples using PCR targeting the gene lipL32.
• Further analysis of the sequenced urine amplicons targeting the gene secY showed that 60.9% were serovar Bratislava and 39.1% were serovar Copenhageni.
• Contrastingly, all sequenced amplicons from vaginal fluid samples were of serovar Bratislava, suggesting a correlation between the presence of this particular serovar and the reproductive system of mares.

Significance and Implications of the Study

• This research is the first to demonstrate the presence of leptospiral DNA in the vaginal fluid of mares, which has implications for understanding the transmission of leptospirosis.
• The identification of the DNA as belonging to serovar Bratislava in the vaginal fluid but not in the urine implies a potential route of transmission of leptospirosis in horses through sexual activity.
• This study’s findings could be pivotal for future prevention and control strategies for leptospirosis in horses, potentially leading to the development of targeted treatments or vaccinations.